Just two weeks after a Hays County judge ordered Texas State University (TXST) to reinstate Associate Professor of History Thomas Alter, the university has terminated him once again.
Alter’s latest dismissal followed a due process hearing on Monday, October 13, during which administrators upheld his original firing over remarks he made at a virtual September 7 conference organized by Socialist Horizon—a self-described revolutionary socialist organization—where he called for the overthrow of the U.S. government.
In a letter to Alter shared by his attorney with local news outlet KVUE, TXST President Kelly Damphousse wrote that Alter’s comments during the virtual September 7 socialist conference “constitute serious professional or personal misconduct that warrant summary dismissal.” Damphousse argued that Alter’s remarks “implicate Texas State, its students and employees and safety on campus during a time when tensions on campuses across the country, including at Texas State, are high.”
Alter continues to insist that his firing is a politically motivated attack on his First Amendment rights. In a statement to KVUE, he wrote that the university’s actions amount to an “attack on democratic rights that are protected by the Texas and United States Constitutions.” He further claimed that his termination was part of “a broader political attack being carried out by the authoritarian far-right to crush democracy.”
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On Tuesday morning, members of the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) at TXST tabled in the Quad in response to Alter’s firing, distributing pamphlets titled “The Firing of Dr. Tom Alter: The Modern Day Red Scare.”
The pamphlets, headlined “Students in Danger,” accused President Damphousse of “aligning his will with fringe internet personalities who publicly embrace fascism” and claimed he “prioritizes the demands of random internet nazis over the safety of students and faculty.” The flyers further asserted that Damphousse “is eager to follow orders from a fascist government.” The pamphlets also read, “Free Speech, Free Gaza, Free Our School.”
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Members of the YDSA, whom I approached on the Quad yesterday, told me they had not reserved the space or obtained approval to occupy the Quad for protests, as required by TXST policy. University guidelines mandate that student groups reserve tabling areas at least one week in advance and maintain a registered faculty advisor. In this case, the group’s listed advisor was Thomas Alter himself, raising further questions about whether the organization remains officially recognized and how they were permitted to protest and table. (As president of TXST’s TPUSA chapter, I can confirm that getting approval to table in the Quad is consistently a difficult process.)
Alter attended the protest alongside several non-student supporters, despite restrictions on outside participants joining campus demonstrations without notice.
Protesters chanted continuously, shouting, “Reinstate Alter, Damphousse resign!” while holding signs reading “Reinstate Tom Alter, Defend Free Speech” and “Socialist Horizon SM” (San Marcos), referencing the socialist political organization with which Alter is affiliated.
Members of Socialist Horizon, the group that held the virtual conference where Alter made the remarks leading to his termination, were also present on campus, distributing pamphlets and participating in chants. The group’s participation raises further concerns, as TXST prohibits non-student organizations—especially political groups—from demonstrating or distributing materials on campus without prior notice or registration.
We will continue to track this case and provide updates as developments occur. For more background information on this story, read our former reports here and here.
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YDSA protesting at the Quad, Texas State University, October 14, 2025. Photo by Leona Salinas.
