News Summary
The University of South Dakota has decided not to terminate art professor Phillip Michael Hook following his controversial social media comments regarding conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Hook, who has been with the university for 19 years, faced backlash and legal action after his remarks, which were deemed protected speech by a federal judge. The university cited his remorse and service record in their decision, highlighting the ongoing discussion about free speech in educational environments.
University of South Dakota Decides Not to Fire Professor Over Controversial Social Media Comments
In a recent turn of events, the University of South Dakota (USD) has made the decision to drop its bid to terminate art professor Phillip Michael Hook following his controversial social media comments about the late conservative activist, Charlie Kirk. This shift marks a significant moment in a situation that has garnered attention not just locally, but also across the nation.
What Happened?
Professor Hook, who has been a tenured faculty member at USD for 19 years, stirred up quite a storm with a Facebook post he made on the same day that Kirk was fatally shot in Utah on September 10, 2025. In the post, Hook expressed a rather blunt opinion, stating he did not “give a flying f***” about Kirk and referring to him as a “hate spreading Nazi.” This post did not remain under the radar for long; it spread rapidly across social media before Hook deleted it just hours later.
The Backlash and Repercussions
This post unleashed a wave of backlash against Hook. Calls for his termination came from various South Dakota political leaders, including Governor Larry Rhoden and House Speaker Jon Hansen. The university responded by placing Hook on administrative leave and informed him of their intent to terminate his employment. In response, Hook took legal action, filing a lawsuit against USD.
A Temporary Legal Win for Hook
The legal proceedings took a critical turn when, on September 23, a federal judge, Karen Schreier, issued a temporary restraining order to halt the termination process. The judge ruled that Hook’s comments were protected speech concerning a public issue. She highlighted that the state had not presented enough evidence to show that Hook’s remarks disrupted university operations. This was an important moment as it hinted at potential retaliation against Hook for exercising his right to free speech.
University’s Considerations
In lifting its efforts to fire Hook, the university cited factors like his remorse for the post, his extensive record of service, and the importance of maintaining efficient operations within the university. This decision reflects a conscious effort by USD to balance the concerns over offensive speech with the protection of faculty members’ rights to express their opinions.
Moving Forward
Despite retaining his position, Hook’s lawsuit against the state continues. He expressed relief and satisfaction about being able to return to the classroom and emphasized how crucial First Amendment protections are against punishment for speech that relates to public issues.
The Bigger Picture: Free Speech in Education
This case does not occur in isolation; it follows a trend nationwide where numerous firings and investigations have taken place across educational institutions and public agencies due to similar speech-related issues. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has declared Hook’s case a noteworthy victory for the preservation of free speech among academic faculty.
Conclusion
As the situation unfolds, it becomes evident that the conversation surrounding free speech, particularly in educational settings, remains as vital as ever. While Hook can breathe a little easier knowing his job is safe for now, the larger discourse on how institutions handle controversial speech continues to evolve.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- South Dakota Searchlight
- Newsweek
- Higher Ed Dive
- Inside Higher Ed
- Argus Leader
- Wikipedia: Free Speech in the United States
- Google Search: Charlie Kirk South Dakota University
- Google Scholar: Free Speech in Education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Free Speech
- Google News: Phillip Michael Hook
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