Point Loma Nazarene University Students Face Third Rejection in Effort to Form TPUSA Chapter

Point Loma Nazarene University Students Face Third Rejection in Effort to Form TPUSA Chapter

Students at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego have faced a setback in their quest to establish a Turning Point USA chapter. This marks the third time their proposal has been denied by the university’s Associated Student Body Board of Directors.

The decision was communicated to students via an email from university President Kerry Fulcher on November 5. In this correspondence, Fulcher outlined the reasons behind the board’s rejection of the chapter’s application.

Luke Cole, the elected secretary of the proposed chapter and a third-year student, expressed his dismay upon receiving the news. He stated, “I felt silenced when I got that email. I felt like I couldn’t speak anymore.” Cole’s sentiment reflects a broader concern among students regarding freedom of expression on campus.

Controversial Factors Highlighted in Rejection

The email revealed that the ASB Board of Directors voted on the motion to establish the TPUSA chapter but ultimately rejected it following a detailed review process. Key concerns revolved around the chapter’s association with the organization’s Professor Watchlist. This list, as described on TPUSA’s website, aims to expose professors perceived as discriminating against conservative students.

Fulcher noted that while the applicants claimed they would not participate in the watchlist, their language during the application process mirrored expressions typically associated with TPUSA’s controversial initiative. He clarified, “That practice is not aligned with ASB’s purpose of fostering constructive communication and interaction between students, faculty, and administration.”

Church and Parachurch Policies Under Scrutiny

Another major point of contention was the group’s intention to affiliate with TPUSA Faith, an initiative focused on uniting the Church and eliminating what it terms