We, the undersigned faculty, staff, and students of Texas State University, condemn the abrupt termination of Dr. Tom Alter, a tenured history professor and respected member of our university community.

On September 7, 2025, Dr. Alter delivered an off-campus talk as a private citizen at the Revolutionary Socialism Conference. Karlyn Borysenko, a clickbait internet personality known for her fascist views, recorded his talk and began calling for him to be fired on September 8. On September 10, Texas State University, under President Kelly Damphousse, terminated Dr. Alter without a hearing or due process, issuing a public letter announcing the decision.

This comes on the heels of Texas A&M firing a professor under similar circumstances, highlighting a troubling trend of public universities quickly capitulating to online smear campaigns.

Dr. Alter’s firing is not just an attack on one professor. It is an attack on all Texans’ rights to speak freely without fear of retaliation. Public institutions cannot allow online provocateurs or political actors to dictate who can or cannot express lawful views without losing their livelihood. Kelly Damphousse should not take orders from a YouTuber.

As members of the Texas State community, we call on Kelly Damphousse to:

1. Reinstate Dr. Alter immediately.

2. Publicly affirm the constitutional right of all employees to speak as private citizens without retaliation.

3. Establish clear policies guaranteeing due process before any termination related to off-duty expression.