NEWS
OFFICIALS DISCUSS PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PAGE 2
SPORTS
LIFE & ARTS
BREAKING DOWN TXST FOOTBALL
DINING SERVICES DISCUSSES MEAL PLANS
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TUESDAY
September 16, 2025 VOLUME 115 ISSUE 6
Professor plans to sue over termination
UNIVERSITY
By Ryan Claycamp News Editor
Less than a week after his termination, Associate History Professor Thomas Alter plans to file a lawsuit against Texas State since it failed to meet his demands of reinstatement on Sept. 15. Alter was fired on Sept. 10 after Karlyn Borysenko uploaded a video of Alter speaking at the Revolutionary Socialism Conference. Borysenko calls herself an “anti-communist cult leader,” and posted a YouTube video titled “Why I’m embracing fascism.” Texas State President Kelly Damphousse said in a statement that Alter was terminated for “conduct that advocates for inciting violence.” “The truth is that Dr. Alter was terminated because he espoused views that are unpopular in today’s conservative, politically-charged climate, in violation of his First Amendment right to free speech,” Amanda Reichek, Alter’s attorney, MAYA CONTRERAS | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER wrote in an email statement to The Texas State biology sophomore Hayden Labarr protests the firing of professor Star. “Dr. Alter intends to pursue swift Thomas Alter, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Stallions.
UNIVERSITY
New policy controlling freedom of expression implemented on campus By Ryan Claycamp News Editor
Texas State adopted new policies outlining when, where and how free expression can be conducted on campus Following the passage of Senate Bill 2972. The new policy was published on Sept. 2 and revised on Sept. 8. The new policy requires non-campusaffiliated individuals to participate in expressive activities exclusively at Bobcat Trail, which is located near the Family Consumer Sciences and Roy F. Mitte buildings. It also restricts the hours during which individuals can participate in expressive activities, significantly limits activities during the last two weeks of a semester or term and more. “ ‘Expressive activities’ means any speech or expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or by Section 8,
legal action to enforce his due process and First Amendment rights.” While the university has claimed Alter was fired for “conduct that advocates for inciting violence,” officials have declined to clarify which policies Alter allegedly violated. “The reasons given by the administration that Dr. Alter engaged in ‘conduct that jeopardizes the health and safety of [the] university community,’ and ‘reflects inappropriate and poor judgment as a faculty member at Texas State University,’ are false and give every appearance of politically motivated discrimination,” Reichek said. According to Alter, he first found out about his termination through Damphousse’s statement while he was at his son’s soccer practice. Alter said he was also sent a termination email from the Provost, but wasn’t sure if it was sent out before or after Damphousse’s statement was posted online.
SEE LAWSUIT PAGE 3 MAIN POINT
Alter’s firing sets an ugly precedent By Editorial Board
The Main Point is an opinion written by The University Star’s Editorial Board. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of our entire publication.
MEG BOLES | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Rev. WK Volkmer is asked to move to Bobcat Trail by UPD and Texas State’s expressive activities team, in accordance with Texas State’s new expressive activities policy, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 at The Stallions. Volkmer was the second person asked to move to Bobcat Trail by Texas State officials on September 11, the first was Joseph Losoya, also known as the “Bubble Believer.”
SEE SPEECH PAGE 2 FOOTBALL
ASU runs over TXST on national television By Ryan Keilman Sports Reporter
The Texas State Bobcats were overmatched against the Arizona State Sun Devils Saturday night in Tempe, Ariz. The Bobcats were looking for their first 3-0 start since 1983, but their high-powered offense fell flat in the desert as they lost to Arizona State by a final score of 34-15. The Bobcats struggled to match Arizona State’s explosive plays, lost the turnover battle 2-0 and had difficulty tackling the Sun Devils in the open field. Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson completed 25 of 36 pass attempts for 184 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. He also rushed AYDEN OREDSON | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER for a touchdown. However, Jackson fumbled the ball Arizona State junior defensive back Keith Abney II (1) breaks up twice, the first of which was on the Bobcats’ second a pass intended for Texas State junior wide receiver Chris Dawn drive of the game and was recovered by his own left Jr. (1), Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 at Mountain America Stadium in tackle, resulting in a 17-yard loss. Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils beat The Bobcats 34-15.
SEE RECAP PAGE 5
The firing of Tom Alter should raise concern for the student body, faculty and staff. If this could happen to him, it can happen to any of us. Alter was fired on Sept. 10, after videos of him speaking at an online socialism conference were posted. According to a statement from President Kelly Damphousse, Alter was fired for “conduct that advocates for inciting violence,” and stated Alter’s comments were “serious professional and personal misconduct.” The convention was called the Revolutionary Socialism Conference, which was held on Sept. 6 and 7. Specifically, Alter spoke as part of the Building Revolutionary Organization Today panel, which took place on Sept. 7. Karlyn Borysenko, a self-proclaimed “anti-communist cult leader,” appeared to have recorded the conference with the goal of getting people like Alter in trouble for exercising their First Amendment rights. No matter your opinion on the subject matter, the fact that Texas State fired a professor only two days after a video was released, with no hearing, is frightening. Not only was Alter a tenured professor, but he was speaking his mind at a convention that was non-academic, where he did not represent Texas State. Alter’s termination was announced just two days after Texas A&M fired the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, English department head and a senior lecturer after
SEE FACULTY PAGE 4