APSU Faculty Senate responds to actions against tenured professor in Charlie Kirk case

[mahatmakanejeeves]

APSU Faculty Senate responds to actions against tenured professor in Charlie Kirk case

The APSU Faculty Senate considered but rejected a vote of no-confidence in the university president over the termination-turned-suspension of professor Darren Michael.

By Jazmin Logan September 26, 2025 11:25 am



Clarksville NowAbout 20 students protest the firing of Darren Michael during the Faculty Senate meeting at Austin Peay State University on Sept. 18, 2025. (Contributed)

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – At Thursday’s Austin Peay State University Faculty Senate meeting, an unexpected resolution was proposed in response to the termination-turned-suspension of tenured theater professor Darren Michael.

Michael was originally terminated for resharing a post on social media about the Charlie Kirk shooting that displayed a 2023 headline, “Charlie Kirk Says Gun Deaths ‘Unfortunately’ Worth it to Keep 2nd Amendment.” In response, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn shared Michael’s post, along with his university bio, and stated, “What do you say, Austin Peay State University?” tagging APSU.

Michael’s status was later shifted to suspension after the administration found that it had not followed due process when firing him, specifically APSU’s Policy on Academic Tenure and Termination of Faculty Members for Adequate Cause. The policy states that any termination requires convening a hearing committee with six tenured faculty members – three appointed by the Faculty Senate and three by the president.

At the Sept. 18 Faculty Senate meeting, University President Mike Licari admitted that due process had not been followed, according to member Bill Rayburn.

{snip}