Clemson fires 2 professors, Coastal Carolina fires 1 employee over social media posts

Clemson University fired two professors Tuesday, bringing to three the college’s total terminations for inappropriate social media posts related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Hours later, Coastal Carolina University announced dismissing one employee and suspending another without pay pending further review of social media posts.

“CCU is committed to upholding our institutional values as we continue to pursue our core mission of supporting student success with the highest standards of integrity and accountability,” the college said in a statement.

The public college in Conway declined to give any other details on the “personnel matters” but noted the reports it received included posts made by people who don’t work for the school.

At Clemson, the two additional firings for now-deleted posts came a day after the university’s first termination for online reactions to Kirk’s death last Wednesday. The Upstate college announced that firing shortly before a meeting of the school’s governing board.

It was scheduled after GOP leaders in the Legislature publicly called Saturday for the trustees to meet and take action. They took no vote after meeting behind closed doors for 3½ hours.

“We fully acknowledge the concerns raised regarding the timing of recent personnel decisions,” reads a statement from the Upstate college posted online Tuesday morning. “Every deliberation reflects the University’s unwavering commitment to conduct all actions in full compliance with institutional policies, state and federal laws and the foundational principles of due process.”

Clemson fires employee, suspends professors for social media posts mocking death of Charlie Kirk

Colleges generally have separate policies and procedures for faculty members versus members of the general staff.

“Clemson remains resolute in its commitment to cultivating an environment that is safe, respectful and conducive to academic excellence,” the school’s statement continued.

The social media posts came to light last week when Clemson College Republicans began flagging the employees’ online reactions to Kirk’s death — including posts from the two assistant professors making light of the killing.

Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 to combat progressive politics on college campuses, was fatally shot in the neck last week as he debated with students at Utah Valley University. The 31-year-old father of two was pronounced dead at a local hospital. On Friday morning, officials announced the arrest of a 22-year-old Utah man, who was not a student of that college.

On another Upstate campus, a part-time instructor was pulled Monday from teaching duties following a vulgar online post.

An adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina Union made an insulting comment about a Republican state legislator from Laurens, Rep. Luke Rankin, who is seeking to name a road in Laurens County after Kirk.

“The instructor showed a serious lack of professional judgement and has expressed remorse,” USC spokesman Jeff Stensland said in a statement. “USC Union is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism in all interactions.”