Second TXST Professor Files Lawsuit Alleging Wrongful Termination

By Abby Mosley

News Reporter

SAN MARCOS — Another Texas State University professor is suing the university for wrongful termination after officials declined to renew his teaching contract for the upcoming semester.

Idris Robinson, an assistant professor of philosophy, filed the lawsuit after being placed on administrative leave following the circulation of video clips showing him speaking at the Another Carolina Anarchist Bookfair. The university later chose not to renew his contract.

The Texas State Education Union, which filed the lawsuit on Robinson’s behalf, said the case centers on free speech protections and seeks his reinstatement.

“This is a First Amendment case, and it seeks to rectify the situation by getting Dr. Robinson his tenure-track position back in the Department of Philosophy,” said Catarina Kissinger, the union’s communications director.

Supporters of Robinson argue the university’s actions reflect a broader pattern of suppressing faculty speech. They point to a similar case involving former professor Tom Atler, who was also terminated after off-campus political speech drew online backlash.

“The similarities between the cases are just shocking. Both stem from like political speech off campus, not using an institutional affiliation,” Kissinger said. “For Dr Robinson in particular, he didn’t even use his name. It took his online harassers a year to figure out who he was, and then when they figured that out, they started their online harassment campaign. Dr alter also the victim of an online harassment campaign. In both cases, the university just immediately folds instead of defending the free speech rights of faculty.”

The Texas State Education Union is organizing a May Day event in San Marcos on May 1, 2026, where Robinson is expected to make his first public appearance in the city since the controversy. Organizers said the event will include live music and aims to raise awareness about his case while highlighting broader labor and free speech issues.

“We anticipate this being Dr. Robinson’s first public appearance in San Marcos,” Kissinger said. “It’s meant to honor past struggles while continuing the fight today. It will be family-friendly and engaging but also focused on the work that needs to be done.”

As the lawsuit moves forward, the case is likely to prompt continued debate over the limits of free speech and the role of universities in regulating faculty expression.