Florida Atlantic University has placed three professors on administrative leave as it investigates their social media activity. The inquiry follows online comments made after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, prompting a debate on campus about free speech and university policy.
Key Takeaways
- Three FAU professors are on administrative leave: Kate Polak (English), Rebel Cole (Finance), and Karen Leader (Art History).
- The action follows an investigation into their social media posts concerning the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
- The university has emphasized its commitment to "civil discourse," while the professors have raised concerns about First Amendment rights and academic freedom.
- All social media posts in question were made from personal accounts not officially affiliated with the university.
University Launches Investigation into Faculty Comments
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) confirmed that three faculty members are on administrative leave. The decision is pending the outcome of an investigation into their social media posts made in the wake of the September 10 assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA.
The professors identified are Kate Polak of the English department, Rebel Cole from the finance department, and Karen Leader, an art history professor. The university's review of their online activity has brought issues of academic freedom and campus speech to the forefront.
Background on the Incident
Charlie Kirk was killed on September 10 while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. His death prompted reactions across the country, including on the FAU campus, where a Turning Point USA chapter is active. A vigil for Kirk, attended by approximately 200 people, was held on September 11, where FAU President Adam Hasner delivered remarks.
The university administration, led by President Hasner, initiated the investigation into faculty commentary following Kirk's death. Officials have remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the investigation.
Lisa Metcalf, FAU's senior media relations director, issued a statement on the matter. "Our focus remains on our academic community's responsibility to promote civil discourse, conduct healthy debate, and treat one another with respect," Metcalf said. She added that this standard applies to all members of the university community, regardless of their political views.
The Professors and Their Public Statements
The three professors have different specializations and levels of seniority at the university. Their social media activity, which triggered the investigation, varied in platform and content, but all stemmed from personal accounts.
Karen Leader: Context and Academic Freedom
Karen Leader, who has taught art history at FAU for nearly two decades, was placed on leave after reposting commentary on X (formerly Twitter). She stated her posts were intended to provide context about Kirk's controversial political history, not to endorse violence.
"What I was posting was evidence that Mr. Kirk was not an uncontroversial figure," Leader explained. "I will defend tenure, I will defend academic freedom, I will defend the First Amendment to my death."
Leader's actions and subsequent suspension have highlighted the ongoing debate over the boundaries of protected speech for tenured faculty members.
Rebel Cole: First Amendment Concerns
Rebel Cole, a tenured finance professor, was also placed on leave shortly after Leader. He took to X to state that FAU administrators suspended him "for challenging disgusting posts about Charlie Kirk's assassination."
Cole has framed the university's action as a direct violation of his First Amendment rights. In response to the suspension, he launched a fundraising campaign to help cover potential legal expenses, positioning his case as part of a larger fight for free expression in academia.
Kate Polak: Comments on Instagram Threads
The third professor, Kate Polak from the English department, was placed on leave after screenshots of her comments on Instagram Threads began to circulate. The comments were reportedly made in response to other users' posts about Charlie Kirk.
Personal vs. Professional Accounts
A key detail in this situation is that all social media posts under review originated from the professors' personal accounts. None of the accounts were officially representing or affiliated with Florida Atlantic University, which adds a layer of complexity to the university's investigation into employee conduct.
Uncertainty Lingers on Campus
As the investigation proceeds, several questions remain unanswered. FAU officials have not provided a timeline for the completion of their review, nor have they specified how the professors' ongoing courses and academic responsibilities will be managed during their absence.
The situation has created a tense atmosphere on the Boca Raton campus, with students and faculty debating the limits of free speech, the role of a public university in moderating discourse, and the protections afforded by academic tenure.
The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for FAU's policies regarding faculty conduct on social media and the interpretation of academic freedom within the state's university system.
