Editor’s note: A Sept. 15 statement from FAU College Democrats has been added.

FAU placed a tenured faculty member on administrative leave pending an investigation after allegedly making comments about the shooting of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University.

University President Adam Hasner announced Sept. 13 that a faculty member made repeated social media comments referencing Kirk’s assassination. Still, he did not identify the individual or provide details of the posts. The tenured faculty member in question is Karen Leader, an associate professor of art history and faculty associate in the Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, according to a recent Sun Sentinel article.

The article reported that Leader reposted content from other users on her X page that described Kirk’s statements as racist, anti-gay, and anti-woman. Leader told the Sun Sentinel that Hasner’s statement was inaccurate, and that she never posted anything specifically about Kirk’s killing, only about some of his public statements.

Leader declined to comment to the University Press. Her X account was private at the time of publication, with “opinions mine” in her bio. Hasner mentioned in the statement that while certain state protections exist for tenured faculty, the individual was placed on leave while the university investigates.

“Our focus remains on our academic community’s responsibility to promote civil discourse, conduct healthy debate, and treat one another with respect. This applies to all students, faculty, and staff, no matter their political leanings,” wrote Hasner in the statement.

FAU College Democrats reported that Leader is the faculty advisor for the student organization. On Sept. 15, the campus chapter criticized the university’s decision to suspend Leader for reposting content, stating that she did not comment on Kirk’s assassination. The statement said her posts are protected free speech under university policy and the First Amendment.

“In the absence of threats, hatred, or harassment, it is unjust and un-American for university leadership and FAU President Adam Hasner to retaliate against faculty for their speech,” read the statement from the FAU College Democrats.

This story is still developing and will be updated as new information becomes available.

Michael Cook is the Editor-in-Chief for the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email michael17cook@gmail.com.