Recent terminations of tenured university professors over controversial speech have ignited debates over academic freedom and due process. Texas State University ordered the firing of associate professor Thomas Alter for allegedly inciting violence during a speech, but a district court judge has now ordered his reinstatement pending a formal faculty review. Similarly, the University of South Dakota must reinstate art professor Michael Hook after suspension over online comments. These cases highlight tensions between institutional policies and First Amendment rights, with legal challenges questioning administrative procedures and faculty protections.