PHOTO: Lawrence University
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The decision on whether or not a Turning Point USA chapter can be established at Lawrence University is now in the hands of the school’s student government organization.
A group of about 35 students trying to start a TPUSA chapter on campus faced pushback, with some fellow students seeking to have TPUSA disqualified from obtaining club status. When a group is denied recognition, it receives no funding from the Lawrence University Community Council and cannot reserve space on campus for use.
TPUSA is a nationwide nonprofit that advocates for conservative politics on high school and college campuses. It was co-founded in 2012 by the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Chapter president Zach Currier said a student-initiated petition made it so that a referendum was held to either approve or deny the TPUSA chapter. For the past three weeks, the entire student body was given the opportunity to vote.
However, Currier said Tuesday that not enough students at the small, private university weighed in. As a result, the Lawrence University Community Council will decide the fate of the TPUSA chapter.
The referendum put forward by the LUCC, the student government body, said in part:
LUCC representatives have received concerns from students regarding whether the Organization’s affiliations, public messaging and anticipated activities are consistent with Lawrence University’s mission to foster an inclusive, respectful and academically free learning environment.
Public statements and initiatives associated with Turning Point USA leadership and affiliated chapters at other institutions, including the use of tools such as the “Professor Watchlist,” have been widely criticized by academic institutions and organizations for their potential to undermine academic freedom of faculty.
The referendum also said members of the TPUSA group would not be discriminated against.
LUCC reaffirms its commitment to recognizing student organizations representing a diversity of political viewpoints, provided such organizations operate in compliance with University non-discrimination policies, safety standards and expectations for responsible campus conduct.
In a statement Friday, Lawrence officials said the decision to approve or refuse a student organization is up to the student government, not the university. They said, in part:
At Lawrence University, the review and approval of student organization applications is constitutionally delegated to our student government, Lawrence University Community Council, which follows established policies and procedures for all groups. With respect to the student application of Patriots of Faith, who has an affiliation with Turning Point USA, the student organization recognition process is currently underway, and no decision has been made.
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