UF’s decision to take action on a retired law professor’s social media post has sparked conversations about free speech, political pressure and the boundaries of dissent on college campuses.
UF revoked retired law professor Jeffrey Harrison’s emeritus status for a post he made on his Facebook about the Sept. 10 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. While some students, alumni and Harrison himself now say the post followed university guidelines, UF continues to emphasize its “zero tolerance” policy toward violence-inciting speech a week later.
In an email response to The Alligator, Harrison wrote he didn’t expect his words to draw so much backlash.
“Given the nature of what appears on social media, I thought my post, though sharply worded, was well within acceptable bounds,” he wrote.
Kirk was fatally shot at a Utah college campus while visiting universities nationwide to debate students on various issues for his “American Comeback Tour.” He visited UF in February to debate students at the Plaza of The Americas.
“I did not want for him [Kirk] to die,” Harrison wrote in his post. “I reserve that wish for Trump.”
On Sept. 19, UF confirmed a retired professor’s emeritus privileges were rescinded “in accordance with the university’s policies and regulations.” Emeritus status is a mark of recognition for praiseworthy service, given to some professors after retirement. It brings benefits like on-campus parking, use of recreational facilities and admission to athletic events.
Harrison said he was “pretty shocked” to learn UF had stripped him of his emeritus status. Upon reflection, Harrison said, he and UF shared “little in common” when it came to their beliefs.
He described UF’s decision as a warning sign for faculty statewide.
“It could and will likely mean silencing dissent, which I think is the goal,” he wrote.
Harrison said he regrets getting “caught in the turmoil.”
Until recently, Harrison worked as a part-time contracts professor at the California Western School of Law, a private school in San Diego. He said he was hired to teach for the Fall semester only, and he notified the school when UF took action.
“As a result of an amicable settlement, I no longer teach there [at California Western School of Law],” Harrison wrote.
California Western School of Law did not respond to several phone calls in time for publication.
UF doesn’t typically comment on personal matters, spokesperson Cynthia Roldán said in an email statement. However, she wrote, UF is committed to promoting a climate of tolerance and acceptance.
“The university has zero tolerance for those who incite violence or violate university policies and will hold those who do so accountable in accordance with the university's policies and regulations,” she wrote.
Roldán did not respond to questions concerning whether any other professors or staff were on UF’s radar for comments about Kirk’s death.
Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas posted a letter on social media Sept. 11 reminding education staff and faculty of the standard they’re held to as public servants. Kamoutsas wrote they could lose their jobs or credentials if they said or posted statements which “undermine the trust of the students and families that they serve.”
“We will hold teachers who choose to make disgusting comments about the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk accountable,” Kamoutsas posted on X. “Govern yourselves accordingly.”
The letter was sent to school district superintendents across Florida.
Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the State University System of Florida, also directed public universities to closely monitor speech that celebrates violence on campus and online following Kirk’s death.
Rodrigues called Kirk a model of “free expression, civil discourse and debate,” noting he drew large crowds at several Florida universities earlier this year.
Rodrigues pointed to state laws passed since 2018 that guarantee student free speech rights and require campuses to measure whether competing viewpoints are welcomed.
“While the right to free expression is paramount, it is not absolute,” he wrote, “Celebrating or excusing campus violence — and in this case, the murder of Charlie Kirk — by members of our university system will not be tolerated.”
He said such behavior undermines civil discourse and fosters hostility on campus.
Rodrigues instructed university officials to review their policies and codes of conduct and to monitor social media and other online activity of both faculty and students. He said leaders must ensure “such measures are deliberately enforced.”
Public feedback
While some people have agreed with UF’s decision, others said it was an infringement on the First Amendment right to free speech.
Amaya Garcia, a 19-year-old UF biology sophomore, criticized state officials’ response to the controversy, particularly Rodrigues’ directive to monitor student and faculty speech online.
Garcia said she could understand the letter to some extent, as maintaining student safety should be a top priority for anyone overseeing schools. But the measures seemed to only come after Kirk’s death, she added.
She said she feels as though if her safety was a priority, these measures would have been in place before the Charlie Kirk incident.
“It’s always focused on power instead of the people,” she said. “It’s very unmotivating to be a student while you see your government do things like this.”
Former colleagues of Harrison’s at the UF Levin College of Law have also spoken out. Law professor Jonathan Cohen said the university’s decision to revoke Harrison’s status is a serious matter, and it would be helpful for UF to explain why it made that choice.
“That act can have a chilling effect on discourse at the university,” Cohen said. “Without a clear explanation of why it was done, others may fear similarly being chilled if they make comments.”
David Hoch, a UF alumnus who said he’s remained close friends with Harrison for 60 years, posted his thoughts on the consequences of Harrison’s post on Facebook Sept. 21. He described Harrison as brilliant and someone who lived up to the promise of his youth.
“May this post count as one UF alum speaking out against our slide to authoritarianism,” Hoch wrote, “and I hope many fellow alums do so as well.”
Contact Swasthi Maharaj at smaharaj@thealligator.org. Follow her on X at @s_maharaj1611. Contact Leona Masangkay at lmasangkay@alligator.org. Follow them on X at @leo_amasangkay.
Swasthi is the Fall 2025 university administration reporter. She's previously worked as general assignment reporter with The Alligator, and you can also find her work in Rowdy Magazine or The Florida Finibus. When she's not staring at her laptop screen or a textbook, she's probably taking a long walk or at a yoga class.
Leona is a second-year journalism student and the Fall 2025 Santa Fe College reporter. They previously worked on the audience and growth team over the summer as a social media strategist. In their free time, Leona enjoys going to the gym, listening to music and watching Marvel movies.
