JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Brian Noland, East Tennessee State University president, responded to concerns regarding two professors placed on administrative leave over social media comments about the death of political activist Charlie Kirk.

“As I was beginning my day, I would have never envisioned that the day would unfold the way it did,” Noland said. “I had learned from information that came into the university that there were university employees who had placed messages on social media that were deeply troubling and concerning. I met with staff, reviewed policy, reviewed out faculty handbook and made the decision to place those faculty on administrative leave so that we could conduct a review of actions.”

The two professors, Andrew Herrmann and Russell Brown, are tenured, said Noland, thus the review will take more time to complete.

“The protections of faculty through our tenured promotion process offer a detailed review,” he said. “That is the review that will begin in due speed.”

As of now, ETSU does not have a social media policy in place for its faculty and staff, but does have a code of conduct. Noland said that this situation has made him think, but he is unsure about implementing a social media policy.

Noland condemned the comments made by the professors and said they do not reflect university values.

“The university will take this seriously because the comments do not reflect at all the values of the university or the positions of this institution,” he said. “I am deeply remorseful and regretful of any pain that [the comments] would have caused, particularly to a family who lost their father.”

Noland said that there is no definite time frame for how long the review of the action will take.