A Texas State University history professor was dismissed after a video of remarks he made at an online socialism conference surfaced and circulated widely, university officials said.
Tom Alter, an associate professor of history, spoke at the Revolutionary Socialism Conference 2025 on Sept. 7, according to screen recordings shared on the social media platform X. In the clip, Alter is recorded criticizing the U.S. political and economic system and urging socialists to organize more effectively. He said, “What makes the current crisis an extra problem for capitalists is the willingness of people to fight back.”
Four days after the conference, Texas State President Kelly Damphousse announced Alter had been fired, saying university officials had concluded his statements constituted "serious professional and personal misconduct." In a post on X, Damphousse wrote, "Conduct that advocates for inciting violence is directly contrary to the values of Texas State University. I cannot and will not tolerate such behavior."
Brian McCall, chancellor of the broader Texas State system, issued a statement that said video recordings in which a Texas State professor "advocated for the overthrow of our government are inconsistent with our shared values and demonstrate egregious personal and professional misconduct." McCall added that no conduct "intended to incite violence" would be tolerated from any employee.
In the full clip posted on YouTube, Alter criticized what he described as ineffective organizing by various political groups and said actions by some anarchists who had been detained or convicted were "laudable" but questioned their strategic effect. "Without organization, how can anyone expect to overthrow the most bloodthirsty, profit-driven, mad organization in the history of the world — that of the United States?" he said in the recording.
The New York Post reported that it reached out to Alter for comment and that he confirmed his membership in an organization called Socialist Horizon. Texas State did not cite a specific university policy that Alter had violated when announcing his dismissal.
The firing comes amid heightened scrutiny of faculty speech at public universities in Texas. Alter is the second professor at a Texas public university to be terminated this week. On Tuesday, Texas A&M University dismissed Melissa McCoul, an English professor, after a classroom interaction about gender and sexuality was recorded and shared on social media. Texas A&M also announced the removal of the College of Arts and Sciences dean and the head of the English department in connection with that incident.
University officials across the state have faced competing pressures from governance boards, state policymakers and public opinion over academic freedom, classroom content and employee conduct. Administrators have said they must balance protections for university employees' speech with obligations to maintain campus safety and uphold institutional values.
Alter had taught at the public research institution and was identified in public records as an associate professor. The recordings posted online prompted rapid public reaction and administrative review, culminating in his termination. University statements characterized the comments as inconsistent with institutional values and grounds for dismissal; they did not provide additional details on any internal investigative findings or disciplinary procedures.
The dismissal highlights ongoing debates in higher education about the line between political expression and advocacy of illegal or violent action. Officials at Texas State framed the action as a response to speech they deemed to cross that line, while advocates for academic freedom have argued university discipline should be subject to clear policy standards and due process.
The events follow a pattern of heightened attention to faculty conduct and classroom content in the state. University leaders and governing boards have increasingly responded swiftly after video of classroom or off-campus remarks goes viral, often invoking institutional codes of conduct and public statements about safety and values.
Officials at Texas State did not immediately provide further details about any internal review process or appeals. Alter and his representatives did not provide additional public comment beyond confirming his membership in Socialist Horizon in response to a request from the New York Post.
