Story perspectives

UT Board Approves $1.9 M Settlement for Tamar Shirinian

7/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

The UT System Board of Trustees approved a $1.9 million settlement for Tamar Shirinian after Audit and Compliance Committee vote, with John Compton recusing himself.
She will receive the $1.9 million, will not be reinstated, and the settlement awaits approval by the state Attorney General and Governor Bill Lee.
The dispute began after Shirinian posted a critical comment about activist Charlie Kirk on September 12, 2025, leading to her suspension and firing on February 11, 2026.

History

Historical Context

The 1995 Supreme Court case Rosenberger v. University of Virginia, decided 5-4 with Justice Antonin Scalia writing the majority, held that a state university could not deny funding to a student religious magazine that had sought $6,000 from the campus activities fee. That precedent on campus speech funding informs the 2026 UT System’s $1.9 million settlement with Tamar Shirinian, prompting universities to tighten funding policies.

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Story summary

The UT System Board of Trustees approved a $1.9 million settlement for Tamar Shirinian after Audit and Compliance Committee vote, with John Compton recusing himself.
She will receive the $1.9 million, will not be reinstated, and the settlement awaits approval by the state Attorney General and Governor Bill Lee.
The dispute began after Shirinian posted a critical comment about activist Charlie Kirk on September 12, 2025, leading to her suspension and firing on February 11, 2026.

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