SAN MARCOS, Texas – Emotions were running high at Texas State Monday night, as the Student Senate considered a resolution to ban the conservative group Turning Point USA from campus.
- Conservative group could be banned
- Claims they harass students and teachers
- Group says it’s a violation of free speech
Students vocalized their support and opposition towards the resolution during hours of tense and heated public comment before the vote.
The authors of the resolution claim that Turning Point USA harasses students and teachers on campus, disrupts classes, and makes campus an unsafe environment.
However, the members of the Texas State chapter of the national conservative organization say the resolution is a violation of their free speech, and an attempt to censor conservative voices.
Although it initially appeared that the senate did not pass the resolution, a student senator later reached out to Spectrum News to say that it actually did pass, with nine "yes" votes, eight "no's", and four abstains.
Despite the vote, the university released a statement saying the student government does not have the authority to bar a student group from campus unless the group is under university-imposed disciplinary action.
Texas State Dean of Students, Margarita Arellano says, "A resolution doesn't impact university. It's more like a recommendation for us. And we still do not have to act according to that resolution, and they know that. But sometimes they send us messages through resolutions of things they want done, even if they know we won't pass it, but that’s ok. We respect that that’s their freedom of speech and freedom to exercise their power as senators."
Statement from Texas State University:
"While Student Government exercised its right to act on a resolution put forth on April 1 to bar a recognized student organization from Texas State campuses, established University policy states that student organizations can only be barred if they are under disciplinary sanctions. Student Government does not have the authority to independently bar a recognized student organization. The organization named in the resolution voted on during the regular April 8 Student Government meeting is not currently under disciplinary sanction. Following University policy, the organization will not be barred from Texas State campuses. Texas State supports the constitutional rights of all of our students, faculty, staff and visitors."
