The University of Florida rescinded a retired professor’s emeritus status on Friday over a Facebook post made on the evening of Charlie Kirk’s death that sparked social media backlash, the university announced.
In a statement posted to social media Friday, the university confirmed that a retired faculty member who issued a controversial post had lost emeritus status. However, the university did not specify the professor’s identity in communication with the Florida Phoenix.
The Gainesville Sun reported it had confirmed the professor in question as retired UF law professor Jeffrey Harrison.
On his public Facebook profile, Harrison posted the night of Kirk’s death:
“There is a lot of commentary about Charlie Kirk. It’s not that complicated. He was an evil person spouting all kinds of hateful messages. I did not want him to die. I reserve that wish for Trump. But let’s face it, even members of the Gestapo and guards at the concentration camps had children. That does not make them heroes, nor does it make Charlie Kirk someone to be admired,” he wrote.
At the time the Florida Phoenix began reporting the story, Harrison’s original post was still visible. However, before publication—and after a reporter reached out to Harrison for an interview—his Facebook profile disappeared.
Scott Presler, a conservative activist with 2.3 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), had posted Thursday calling for the professor to lose any affiliation with UF and relinquish any current duties.
Also on Thursday, Harrison posted:
“I am getting a lot of hateful commentary about a recent post in which I did not want Charlie Kirk to die but it would be fine with me if Trump did. The latter sentiment I have seen on Facebook scores of times. This avalanche of hate came after someone reposted my original post on X. This leads me to ask if X has gone over, even more than Facebook, to Trumpers?”
This follow-up post is no longer publicly available.
According to University of Florida regulations, the emeritus title is conferred in recognition of meritorious service and entitles the holder to continued campus courtesies, including parking privileges, use of the library and recreational facilities, admission to athletic and cultural events, receipt of faculty publications, participation in contract and grant endeavors, and participation in academic convocations.
Following the revocation, Harrison’s name was removed from the Levin College of Law’s list of emeritus faculty members.
Harrison previously wrote a guest column for The Gainesville Sun in 2022, criticizing UF administrators for what he described as cowering to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The rescinding of Harrison’s emeritus status comes amid warnings from Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas and State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, who promised accountability for educators celebrating or excusing campus violence.
Since Kirk’s death, several Florida universities—including the University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University, and now the University of Florida—have come under scrutiny for professors’ social media posts. Additionally, various K-12 teachers are under investigation, as previously reported by the Florida Phoenix.
On Friday, Miami-Dade public schools confirmed to the Florida Phoenix that five allegations have been received against employees for inappropriate conduct related to Charlie Kirk’s death, either on social media or in the classroom. Those allegations are currently under investigation, the district said.
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Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix
https://flaglerlive.com/uf-professor-firing/