The University of Tennessee has reached a settlement with former assistant professor Tamar Shirinian, agreeing to pay her $1.9 million to settle a lawsuit after her dismissal over a social media post celebrating the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Under the terms of the agreement, approved by the University of Tennessee System Board of Trustees, Shirinian will not return to her teaching position at the university.
The settlement still requires approval from Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Gov. Bill Lee.
According to Shirinian's attorney, the resolution reflects the seriousness of the issues while allowing everyone to move forward.
The dispute began in September 2025, days after Kirk was assassinated during an event at Utah Valley University.
Shirinian wrote a Facebook post stating, “The world is better off without him in it,” and also made comments about Kirk's wife, calling her a “sick fuck” for marrying him.
The post quickly spread online, leading to a formal investigation and her eventual termination from her position at the university.
Shirinian sued the university in federal court in October 2025, alleging her dismissal violated her rights.
Because the University of Tennessee is a publicly funded institution, the settlement ultimately comes from public funds, meaning Tennessee taxpayers will bear the cost.
