UPDATE: The University of Tennessee – Chattanooga has overridden the student government association and approved the Turning Point USA chapter.
Rep. Jason Zachary said he spoke directly to the president of the university and was assured the group had been approved.
“Turning Point has a huge presence at UTK and we hope for the same success in Chattanooga,” the state lawmaker said.
ORIGINAL STORY: A Turning Point USA chapter at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was rejected over allegations that the club engaged in “hate speech.”
TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet confirmed that the student government association denied an application to make the conservative group an official registered student organization.
“This decision effectively blocks our students from gaining official recognition on campus,” Kolvet said. “As a result, the students will be forced to restart the process, reapplying and once again facing the same SGA that has already demonstrated clear bias against them.”
The university released a statement saying that the dean of students will ultimately decide whether to honor the student government association’s decision.
“Tennessee, are these the values of your state,” Kolvet asked. “Your tax dollars are propping this garbage.”
Chattanooga attorney Robert Barnes first exposed the university’s decision and vowed to sue the school. Many students and parents are beyond outraged.
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“As a Christian conservative, (my daughter) has been worried about all of the hate and violence against Christians and Conservatives at any university,” one mom wrote on social media. “The decision to block the Turning Point chapter made her feel like UTC wouldn’t be a safe place to further her education.”
Others said it was a case of conservatives being silenced because of their beliefs.
“Once again those who profess inclusion, tolerance and safe spaces are scared of a different viewpoint,” wrote one local resident.
Anne-Elizabeth Matheny, a regional manager for TPUSA, called for state lawmakers to investigate the matter.
“Truthfully, only two options our leaders should be giving UT Chattanooga – let free speech prevail or defund them,” she wrote on X.
Rep. John Rose (R-TN), who is running for governor, blasted university leadership.
“It is a shame the leaders of UT Chattanooga are discriminating against TPUSA and allying a lie to do so,” Rose said, referring to the hate speech accusations. “The university is fearful of the truth.”
I’m glad that university administrators overrode the decision of the student government association, but that’s not good enough. The university should consider disbanding the student government association and expelling any student to was responsible for discriminating against the conservative kids.
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