California Students Face Setback in Effort to Launch TPUSA Chapter

Students at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego have faced another setback in their efforts to establish a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter officially recognized by the university. For the third time, the university’s Associated Student Body (ASB) Board of Directors has turned down their request.

The decision was communicated to students through an email from university President Kerry Fulcher on November 5.

“Receiving that email was disheartening,” expressed Luke Cole, the chapter’s elected secretary and a third-year student. “It felt like my voice was being stifled.”

The email, which Fox News Digital obtained, explained that the ASB Board of Directors voted on the matter following a thorough review process but ultimately did not approve the chapter. A significant concern highlighted in the email was the association with TPUSA’s Professor Watchlist. This controversial watchlist aims to “expose and document” college professors who allegedly discriminate against conservative students, according to TPUSA’s own description.

Ginger Friess, the elected president of TPUSA Point Loma, alongside other students and Senator Brian Jones, recently attended an on-campus memorial event for Charlie Kirk, organized by the university’s Students for Life club.

President Fulcher’s email noted that, although the applicants had pledged not to engage with the watchlist, the language in their application closely resembled phrases associated with it on the TPUSA website. “Such practices do not align with ASB’s mission of promoting constructive dialogue and interaction among students, faculty, and administration,” Fulcher added in the email.

The email also cited the club’s intent to affiliate with TPUSA Faith, an initiative that aims to “unite the Church” and “eliminate wokeism,” according to its website. Fulcher said that was a violation of the university’s church and parachurch policies.

“This policy is in place to ensure that outside churches or ministry organizations, however well-intentioned, do not duplicate efforts already being led by our campus ministry team and use university resources to advance their own programming,” Fulcher wrote in the email.

Fulcher said the authority to approve or deny student-initiated clubs rests solely with the ASB Board of Directors. According to PLNU’s website, the school hosts a “B.R.E.A.K.” club which “emphasizes the importance of gender equality on a school campus.” Hosts discuss issues such as “privilege” and “gender justice.” 

The school also hosts a “Center for Justice and Reconciliation” group that focuses on “immigration and racial justice” and allows students to “process injustices in their communities,” according to the website.

Point Loma Nazarene University students held a vigil for Charlie Kirk in the days after his assassination. Chairs were lined with posters of Kirk in remembrance. (Ginger Friess)

The decision has left students crestfallen. Ginger Friess, a first-year student at the university, told Fox News Digital that, after Charlie Kirk’s death, she felt called to serve her campus through founding a TPUSA chapter.

“For me, it was about finding truth and making space for that on this campus,” said Friess. “I watched students and faculty, who identified as Christian, celebrate human death on campus … and I was deeply troubled by that. 

“[Kirk] invited all people, all students on campus to an open mic. We want to open up the conversation.”

Brooklyn Stratton, a third-year student at PLNU and elected vice president of TPUSA Point Loma, said she and other young conservatives felt targeted on college campuses after Kirk’s death. 

“I just wanted to make a community for other students who [were] also feeling this way to get together,” said Stratton. “College is our formative years. … I feel like not giving people the opportunity to explore which side of politics they’re on doesn’t align with free speech at all.” 

The formation of a TPUSA chapter was also rejected twice in 2021, according to the campus’ student newspaper. 

Associate Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs Lora Flemming shared in a statement with Fox News Digital that the university is a place where “students from a variety of backgrounds are welcomed into a community shaped by faith.”

“The outcome of this club application should not be misunderstood as a departure from our Christian mission or a rejection of conservative perspectives,” Flemming said in the statement. “Calling into question the university’s Christian identity or discrediting our ASB leaders because of disagreement over this club decision is not reflective of how Christians are called to engage with one another in truth and grace.”

Several students at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego said they felt targeted on campus following Charlie Kirk’s death.  (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Friess shared that her grandfather was one of Turning Point USA’s first donors in 2012, motivating her to begin a chapter herself. 

“Ultimately, I hope to create loving people. People that are willing to have the boldness to advocate for the eternal goodness for others,” said Friess. “And also to equip conservative students with a heart for Christ.”

Despite the students’ efforts being denied, they made clear this was not the end for TPUSA in Point Loma. The students shared that they were looking into the appeal process and meeting off campus.

“My school is really trying hard to stay neutral, but the way they’re staying neutral really isn’t neutral at all,” said Stratton. “I guess the question I’m wondering is, ‘Is my administration at Point Loma Nazarene University giving a space for not only diversity of being but diversity of thought?’”

Fox News Digital contacted PLNU ASB’s President Kenzie Lopez and Director of Student Relations Nathan Blanco. Blanco declined to comment and Lopez did not respond before the time of publication.