SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota Board of Regents has filed an intent to terminate a University of South Dakota professor following a social media post he made about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, BOR’s director of communications Shuree Mortenson shared in a statement from the BOR.
A social media post by USD professor Michael Hook got the attention of South Dakota Speaker of the House Jon Hansen. Hansen share the post on his X account and called for Hook to be terminated by USD.
Hook, who deleted the social media post and deleted his Facebook page, said “sorry for (Kirk’s family) that he was a hate spreading Nazi and got killed.” Later Hook said in his post that “I have no thoughts or prayers for this hate spreading Nazi. A shrug maybe.”
Both Hansen and Rhoden included a full copy of Hook’s post on their social media accounts. Hook’s post also included an expletive which said “I don’t give a flying (expletive) about this Kirk person.”
Gov. Larry Rhoden also shared Hook’s post on his Governor’s X account. Rhoden said on his post that he “was shaking mad” when he read the post. Rhoden said he had learned the BOR intended to “FIRE” hook. And that he was “glad” Hook would be fired.
The BOR has placed Hook, who is listed as an art professor for USD, on administrative leave. He was immediately relieved of all duties, a BOR statement provided by Mortenson said.
The intent to terminate follows SDBOR policy 4.4.8, Mortenson said.
“As the state’s public university system, it is essential for our institutions and employees to promote constructive dialogue based on mutual respect. When faculty and staff discuss or write about issues of public concern, they must recognize their roles as educators and their standing in their communities, which brings added obligations. The Board’s role is to ensure that our institutions are effectively preparing our students to engage with civility,” Mortenson’s BOR statement said.
Governor’s office shares swear word
KELOLAND News asked Josie Harms, Rhoden’s Press Secretary, why Rhoden felt it was appropriate to include the entire quote including the expletive. Harms told KELOLAND News: “The post does speak for itself and you can see the why behind it.”
According to the USD website, Hook moved to South Dakota in 2006.
USD’s Alissa Matt of the university’s external communities responded to KELOLAND questions with, “The University of South Dakota cannot comment on personnel matters.”
