Faculty Committee Pushes for Professor’s Return After Controversial Posts

A group of faculty members at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville has issued a unanimous recommendation that the university should not fire Dr. Shirin Saeidi, an Iranian‑born political science professor who has been suspended over her social media activity. The committee’s decision comes after the dean of the Fulbright College announced in December that Dr. Saeidi would be relieved from her role as director of the King Fahd Center for Middle East Studies. The dean’s letter cited posts that criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza, called for a free Palestine, and mentioned Iranian leaders. It also claimed Dr. Saeidi used university letterhead in a political statement that the dean deemed inappropriate. The appeal process includes a hearing before the University of Arkansas Faculty Committee on Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure. That committee reviews evidence and then forwards its recommendation to the university president, who has the final authority. Dr. Saeidi’s hearing took place on Monday, but her lawyer said the formal recommendation was not delivered to the president until Friday. The committee’s unanimous stance indicates that it found no violation of university policy, separating protected speech from conduct that truly breaches rules. This outcome is portrayed by Dr. Saeidi’s attorney as a victory for academic freedom and free expression on campus. He argues that public universities cannot dismiss tenured faculty simply because their political views are unpopular or controversial. The committee’s decision, he says, upholds First Amendment principles and protects professors from political pressure.However, a unanimous recommendation does not guarantee job security. The university has previously dismissed faculty members after faculty panels advised against it, citing political controversy or social media comments. Recent examples include a law school dean who was offered a position and then had it withdrawn after lawmakers discovered her support for transgender athletes, and a professor who was fired after a faculty panel recommended against termination. These incidents suggest that the university’s leadership may override committee advice when external political forces are involved. Dr. Saeidi has responded by posting the dean’s letter on her Instagram account and stating that she disagrees with the characterization of her speech as unprotected. Her lawyer claims the dismissal is politically motivated, pointing to pressure from groups that criticize her views on Iran and Israel. The Middle East Studies Association has also called for her reinstatement, while some state senators have publicly supported the university’s investigation into her conduct. The situation highlights a broader tension between academic freedom and institutional control. It raises questions about how universities balance faculty expression with their public image, especially when political issues are involved. Whether Dr. Saeidi will ultimately return to teaching and research remains uncertain, but the faculty committee’s decision marks a notable stand in favor of protecting scholarly voices.