LUBBOCK, Texas – Assistant Professor Jairo Fúnez-Flores of Texas Tech University's College of Education has been reinstated to his position following a six-week paid suspension and an investigation into his social media posts related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The university's Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) concluded its probe, finding no evidence of a violation of Texas Tech policy for discriminatory harassment within the classroom or work environment.
The controversy stemmed from several social media comments made by Dr. Fúnez-Flores, an assistant professor of curriculum studies and teacher education, particularly after the October 7, 2023, attacks. One such post, widely circulated, stated, > "Colonialism only loosens its hold when the knife is at its throat." These posts led Texas Tech leadership to initially characterize his remarks as "hateful, antisemitic, and unacceptable," prompting his suspension on March 4, 2024.
The OEO's investigation focused on whether Fúnez-Flores's personal sentiments expressed on social media extended into his professional duties or created a hostile environment. Despite the university's initial strong condemnation of the posts, the OEO's findings, announced on April 12, 2024, cleared him to return to his job functions.
While the university acknowledged the OEO's findings, a statement from Texas Tech leadership indicated they still "deplore the social media posts by Prof. Fúnez-Flores and find them to be hateful, antisemitic, and antithetical to our Code of Ethics." This stance highlights the ongoing tension between institutional values and the scope of academic freedom, particularly concerning extramural speech.
The case drew significant attention, with students from groups like Students for Justice in Palestine rallying in support of Fúnez-Flores, advocating for his reinstatement and emphasizing free expression. Conversely, external organizations and individuals criticized his statements as antisemitic and called for his termination, reflecting broader national debates on free speech and campus conduct amidst geopolitical conflicts.