An Iowa State financial aid advisor was fired Tuesday over comments posted online regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA.
A social media post from financial aid advisor Caitlyn Spencer was publicized online following Kirk’s death. In the post, Spencer said, given Kirk’s support for Second Amendment gun rights, “this jackass got what was coming and I’m happy he’s rotting in hell now.”
Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, and Sen. Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia, penned a letter to the Regents Sept. 13 calling for the immediate firing of employees who “publicly celebrated his killing online.”
“Each instance of social media posts with cheers, taunting and vile glee is more disturbing than the last,” according to the letter. “Such behavior is sickening – no American’s death should be celebrated, especially by those charged with the honorable duty of educating Iowa’s youth.”
At the Board of Regents meeting Sept. 17, all three universities were directed to immediately investigate any alleged violations of the board’s policy, including Chapter 4.2 on social media use.
The Board concluded university presidents have the authority to take action, up to and including termination, against employees found in violation.
Additionally, in future circumstances, the Board authorized its executive director to investigate violations and place employees on administrative leave if needed.
The termination letter, signed by President Wendy Wintersteen, said the investigation determined Spencer’s “conduct and continued employment has caused, and is reasonably likely to continue to cause, significant disruption, harm and adverse impact to the efficient and effective operations of the university.”
Spencer has the option to appeal the termination, according to board policy Chapter 1.7, within 10 days of the final institutional action from which the appeal is taken.
University Spokesperson Angie Hunt did not provide additional comments, and Josh Lehman, senior communications director for the Board of Regents, stated they have “nothing to add.”
The following are excerpts from the Board of Regents social media policy:
“Employees are free to express personal opinions on their personal social media accounts, consistent with the First Amendment and its application to public employees. When doing so, it is the employee’s responsibility to make clear that they are speaking in their private capacity and not on behalf of the University or the Board of Regents.
However, under certain circumstances, the university may be obligated to act to prevent harm to the university, our campus community and its mission. For instance, when an employee’s personal expression violates university policy, such as engaging in threatening or intimidating speech towards a co-worker, the university may be compelled to intervene to maintain a safe or efficient work environment.”
