SAN MARCOS, Texas — Texas State University has upheld the termination of a tenured professor who was fired last month for comments made at a socialist conference, the professor’s attorney said Monday.
University President Kelly Damphousse determined Oct. 13 that Dr. Thomas Alter II’s summary dismissal would proceed following a hearing, according to a statement released by Alter’s attorney.
“Ordered by the court to reinstate Dr. Alter while he pursued his internal appeal rights, Texas State University has now elected to terminate the employment of a valued and tenured professor for the second time,” the statement said.
A university spokesperson confirmed the decision, saying that Damphousse “notified Dr. Alter that his employment at Texas State University is terminated, effective immediately. “
Alter was initially fired last month after making comments at a conference where he was not representing the university.
In his statement, Alter called the termination “part of a broader political attack being carried out by the authoritarian far-right to crush democracy and democratic institutions.”
“My termination, in clear violation of my First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, association, and of assembly brings shame, embarrassment and a heavy blow to the academic reputation of Texas State University,” Alter said.
Alter has filed a lawsuit against the university, claiming he was fired without due process and that his free speech rights were violated. He said he looks forward to his day in court.
Damphousse posted a “special message,” saying his “goal as an academic leader has always been to make changes that advance the mission of the university as we adapt to an ever-evolving environment.”
“What made sense to me didn’t always make sense to others. So, early on in my leadership journey, I embraced the principle of shared governance. That allowed those who were most affected by proposed changes to have a say in the change process. That practice has served me well over the years. Universities are complex organizations, and I often discovered that the changes I proposed were improved by this collaborative process. I still believe in that principle,” Damphousse said.
He addressed the frustration felt by many following “things that have happened specifically on our campus,” saying he “[mourns] how these past few weeks may have diminished your faith in [his] leadership.”
Damphousse also said he was unable to specifically address personnel and student issues, but his silence should not be mistaken for “indifference or lack of empathy.”