James Thomas, a sociology professor with a history of controversial social media posts, was granted tenure by the IHL Board of Trustees on Thursday.

Thomas’s name was pulled from a list of 77 tenure approvals in Mississippi’s eight public universities, and the decision to approve or deny his tenure was debated in a two-hour closed session. The board said in a statement that it considered “the candidate’s effectiveness in interpersonal relationships” in its decision.

Read more about the decision and Thomas’s history on social media here.

Twitter responded in force last night, with many professors at the university supporting Thomas.

https://twitter.com/garrett_felber/status/1129114304706424834

Our institutions of higher education are hostage to the IHL board, a political body that wields far too much autonomy over academic decisions. Despite the outcome, this should never have been an issue. Academic freedom in Mississippi is in jeopardy. https://t.co/ZlgSndflNw
— Antonia Eliason (@AntoniaEliason) May 16, 2019

The action taken today by some members of IHL to grant tenure to a professor who encourages violence sends the wrong message to our children about civility & acceptable behavior. Doing the right thing is far more important than any policy regarding tenure.https://t.co/5jbm7Jd7zu
— Secretary Michael Watson (@MichaelWatsonMS) May 16, 2019

https://twitter.com/Sir__Ian/status/1129117469384290304

https://twitter.com/UMiss_amydmcd/status/1129139336631521281

Congrats to @Insurgent_Prof on his promotion and tenure. JT is an accomplished scholar and outstanding teacher. This is well deserved
— Bob Brown (@brownrd5) May 16, 2019

I am so disappointed that the Board of Trustees did this. I am also disappointed in the professor who made these comments. Inciting violence is not the standard either should endorse. Down not matter the party but what is even worse, is that all who read are not concerned.
— Tim Carter (@cartert1) May 17, 2019

https://twitter.com/darrengrem/status/1129223440899162118

@Insurgent_Prof is the freaking GOAT. A professor who truly cares about his work and the students he serves. A true educator. Congrats on tenure!
— empress gin (@leahfromthesip) May 17, 2019