A University of Tennessee assistant professor of queer anthropology, Tamar Shirinian, shared a vile social media post expressing her disgusting take on not only Kirk, but also his devastated widow and mother of his children last week.
“The world is better off without him in it. Even those who are claiming to be sad for his wife and kids….like, his kids are better off living in a world without a disgusting psychopath like him and his wife, well, she’s a sick fuck for marrying him, so I don’t care about her feelings.”
Monday morning, the University issued an official statement regarding the explosion of controversy over the comments and demands for action terminating her from legislators, alumni, and donors.
“Celebrating or advocating violence and murder is reprehensible and has no place at the University of Tennessee. UT Knoxville is actively investigating the matter and will take decisive action to ensure it is addressed with the full weight and attention it deserves.“
Shortly after that statement, the University issued an update from UT-Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman:
“The university has taken swift action against a faculty member who has failed to meet our expectations for civil engagement. Her actions endorsing violence and murder do not represent the university or our values.
The faculty member is out of the classroom, placed on administrative leave, and termination proceedings have begun.
Teaching and shaping the lives of young people is core to the mission of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. We have a great responsibility as educators of America’s future leaders to make sure students have a healthy educational environment in which to learn, wrestle with difficult issues, and express themselves civilly. We take that responsibility seriously.“
Shirinian was a Non-Tenured associate professor, which made it much easier for the university to take action to dismiss her. Her university bio was also removed from UT’s website today. However, the vetting process for hiring her, the actual decision to hire her, and the course selections for which she was approved to teach all took place under Plowman and Provost Dr. John Zomchick, who reports directly to Plowman. Dr. Barbara Heath was and is the head of the anthropology department at UT, who hired her, and Dr. Robert Hinde is the Executive Dean of Arts and Sciences who approved the hiring. It is clear that the hiring process and decisions of courses to be taught at the University of Tennessee deserve immediate scrutiny from Pres. , the Board of Trustees, legislators, and alumni. How many other radical assistant professors are on the payroll at various campuses of the University of Tennessee, and what other woke, perverted, whacky subjects and majors/minors are being funded by Tennessee taxpayers?
On social media, Boyd shared the university’s statement and added his own comments.
“I support Chancellor Plowman’s swift action,” Boyd said. “Our responsibility is to educate and shape future leaders in an environment grounded in respect and decency. That responsibility is one we will always uphold on behalf of our students and the people of Tennessee.”
President Boyd should immediately initiate a thorough and independent review of the hiring practices and course offerings of the University of Tennessee system. Quickly responding and terminating Shirinian was a good and important first step to cleaning up what is obviously a problem within the university, but it should be treated as simply a first step rather than a quick end to controversy.
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily. He is a former member of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees.
