ARLINGTON, TX – Charles Hermes, a far-left philosophy professor at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), has been placed on administrative leave after 18 years at the university. Hermes, a senior lecturer in Philosophy and Humanities, confirmed his suspension in a Facebook post earlier this week, expressing shock and distress over the decision.
“I don’t know what to do. After 18 years of teaching at UTA I have been placed on administrative leave. I’m shocked and speechless. I’m scared. I can’t stop crying,” Hermes wrote. “So much of who I am comes from my love of our students. I guess I never thought this could happen. It’s been such a hard semester, now this. I’m so scared and sad.”
Hermes did not specify the reason for his suspension, but when asked by a Facebook user, he responded: “After years of teaching and advising awards they are claiming student complaints.”
Though UTA has not issued a public statement regarding the suspension, multiple student complaints about Hermes have surfaced over the years. Some of the most notable grievances appear on the website Rate My Professor, where students anonymously review instructors.
Among the complaints are allegations that Hermes frequently inserted political rhetoric into his courses, penalized students for holding opposing views, and exhibited erratic behavior in the classroom.
One student wrote in part:
“Half the class was spent spitting far-left rhetoric rather than teaching the course material. Will fail you if you do not agree with his political views. Would often come into class crying about personal problems or complaining about the government.”
Additional students described Hermes as “lowkey insane,” “scattered,” and someone who would “rant about Trump” and “slander people without apologizing.”
While anonymous reviews should be taken with caution, the volume and consistency of complaints over the last several years raise questions about Hermes’ conduct in the classroom.
Hermes is no stranger to controversy. In 2018, he came under fire for social media posts appearing to condone violence against President Donald Trump. One post read:
“I’d feel safer if Trump chased after an active shooter unarmed. I’d feel much safer if Pence and Ryan joined the fray.”
This post has since been removed from his public social media pages.
That same year, conservative commentator Steven Crowder disrupted one of Hermes’ classes after the professor attempted to shut down Crowder’s speaking event at nearby Southern Methodist University.
More recently, Hermes was arrested in May 2024 for criminal trespassing during a pro-Palestine student encampment at UTA. According to Arlington police, he was taken into custody by university police and booked into the Arlington City Jail.
Hermes has also been a frequent presence at protests against conservative policies and politicians, from Tarrant County commissioner’s court meetings to federal immigration policy demonstrations. In a February 28 Facebook post, he wrote:
“Arlington, Texas—Most diverse city in Texas. Fourth most diverse in the US. Here is where we fight back against the anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion bigots. Here is where we will win.”
As news of his suspension spreads, UTA appears to be distancing itself from Hermes. The university has begun removing his information from its official website, though it has not publicly commented on the matter.
Hermes has continued posting updates on Facebook, expressing his sadness about clearing out his office.
“God, it hurts taking my flags and unicorns down. I just don’t know what’s going on,” he wrote.
The full extent of the complaints against Hermes remains unclear. While student grievances seem to be a factor in his suspension, questions remain about whether his activism played a role in UTA’s decision.
As this story develops, source may offer more insight into why Hermes was placed on leave and whether his time at the university has come to an end.
UTA has not responded to a request for comment. This is a developing story.
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