Matthew Goldman no longer appears in UCI’s current composition instructor directory, but the university has not announced whether his employment status changed.
UC Irvine has condemned rhetoric attributed to composition lecturer Matthew Goldman after a social-media comment was widely interpreted as joking about political violence before journalist Nick Shirley’s appearance at Harvard University.
A screenshot reported by multiple outlets shows an Instagram account attributed to Goldman commenting, “Someone can do the funniest thing just before the Kirkiversary,” beneath a post promoting Shirley’s September 9 appearance with the Harvard Republican Club.
The comment did not explicitly threaten Shirley. Critics nevertheless interpreted “Kirkiversary” as an allusion to the first anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
UCI responds
UC Irvine told The College Fix that it could not discuss personnel matters but said the reported statements were inconsistent with its principles of community and commitment to respectful, open debate.
The university also said rhetoric advocating violence conflicts with its values while acknowledging its responsibility to protect speech that may be offensive or objectionable.
Chapman University separately told the outlet that Goldman was not currently teaching or present on its campus.
Status remains unclear
Goldman previously appeared on UC Irvine’s website as a composition lecturer. As of September 16, his name does not appear in the university’s current composition instructor directory.
That change alone does not establish that Goldman was fired, suspended or disciplined. UC Irvine has not publicly announced an employment action or explained why he is absent from the directory.
The Daily Caller graphic circulating with the controversy shows Nick Shirley, not Goldman.
Speech, safety and public trust
The controversy raises difficult questions about political speech, personal expression and the responsibilities of instructors entrusted with evaluating students who may hold opposing viewpoints.
Universities must protect open inquiry while also addressing rhetoric that students could reasonably understand as celebrating or encouraging political violence. Any final judgment about Goldman’s employment, however, should rest on authenticated evidence and confirmed university action—not speculation circulating online.
