FAU reinstates 2 professors suspended over social media posts about Charlie Kirk’s death
By Caleb Califano
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BOCA RATON, Fla. (WPBF) — Two Florida Atlantic University professors suspended after posting comments about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk’s death have been cleared and reinstated following an outside review.
The investigation was led by former Florida Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson, who was hired by the university to determine whether two professors violated FAU policy.
Lawson’s report reviewed each professor’s social media comments and concluded that neither violated university rules nor caused disruptions on campus. He recommended that both return to normal status.
The suspensions stemmed from September, when FAU placed three faculty members on leave: Rebel Cole, Karen Leader and Kate Polak.
Cole and Leader have now been reinstated after a review by outside counsel.
Cole, who is confirmed to be one of the professors, has also filed a federal lawsuit against the university, accusing the university of violating his First Amendment rights and acting without a factual basis for the suspension.
In a public statement posted to social media, Cole wrote that his lawsuit will continue until the university offers what he believes is an appropriate resolution.
“My lawsuit will proceed through federal court until FAU administrators offer a settlement that makes up for this enormous administrative blunder. Out of all the universities in Florida, only one chose to deliberately violate the 1st Amendment rights of its faculty, FAU,” he wrote.
FAU said it does not comment on ongoing litigation.
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