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Austin Peay State University has reinstated a professor who was fired for his social media post after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The Tennessee<\/a> school is also paying the teacher $500,000 in the settlement.<\/p>\n Austin Peay spokesperson Brian Dunn said Darren Michael returned to his position as a tenured faculty member at the public university in Clarksville effective 30 December. A copy of the settlement agreement obtained through a public records request includes a $500,000 payment and reimbursement of counseling, as reported earlier this week<\/a> by WKRN-TV.<\/p>\n Tennessee\u2019s governor, attorney general and comptroller signed a document authorizing the settlement payment.<\/p>\n Michael, a theater and dance professor, was among people who reported facing a conservative backlash and punishment at work for their online posts about Kirk\u2019s fatal shooting in September. He was later moved to a suspension status.<\/p>\n In a 30 December email to the university community, Austin Peay president Mike Licari said the school did not follow the required tenure termination process. The communication was another requirement under the settlement.<\/p>\n Licari added: \u201cI deeply regret and apologize for the impact this has had on Professor Michael and on our campus community. I am committed to ensuring that due process and fairness are upheld in all future actions.\u201d<\/p>\n