Overview

• Suzanne Swierc, Ball State’s former director of health promotion and advocacy, filed a federal complaint in Indianapolis against President Geoffrey Mearns after her Sept. 17 termination.
• The complaint says her Sept. 10 Facebook post about Charlie Kirk was shared to friends only and conveyed her views while noting she prayed for his soul.
• A screenshot combining the post with her Ball State directory entry surfaced on Attorney General Todd Rokita’s Eyes on Education portal and on social media, followed by harassing messages and threats.
• Swierc alleges she was dismissed in a brief meeting without counsel, and a letter signed by Mearns identified the post as the sole reason with no opportunity to appeal.
• The ACLU seeks reinstatement, expungement of termination records, damages, and fees, while Ball State cites a recent federal appeals court decision in a separate school case to defend its action.