A conservative student club is now approved at Worcester State University after a Massachusetts legal group threatened legal action.
The Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center said Worcester State approved a Turning Point USA club after the group sent the school a legal demand letter.
The club had been rejected by the Worcester State Student Senate in March.
The student who tried to start the club is identified by the legal group as “John,” a fake name used to protect him from retaliation.
John wanted to start a Turning Point USA club to give conservative students a voice on campus and create a place for students to talk about politics.
But the Student Senate voted against recognizing the club.
A March 13 denial email said senators had questions about whether the club would “foster constructive engagement and dialogue” at Worcester State. It also cited concerns about the club’s effect on the “student environment” and “overall campus climate.”
The decision meant the club could not get the normal benefits of an approved student group.
According to the demand letter, the club could not reserve rooms, receive student activity money, participate in club fairs or use campus bulletin boards and other official school communication channels.
The Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center said the club was rejected because of its political views.
During the meetings, some student senators questioned John about his own political views and his connection to the national Turning Point USA organization, according to the demand letter.
Some also raised concerns about immigrant and LGBTQ students.
One senator allegedly worried that the club might tell transgender-identifying students which bathroom to use. Another allegedly suggested the club might call ICE on illegal immigrant students.
A student leader from the LGBTQ+ Alliance also opposed the club during public comment, saying of Turning Point USA, “we don’t need that on campus,” according to the demand letter.
John tried to explain that the club would not force students to agree with him. He said he wanted it to be a place for respectful conversations about controversial issues.
The Student Senate still voted no.
The Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center then sent Worcester State an April 16 demand letter. The group told the school that Worcester State, as a public university, cannot deny a student group recognition because of its viewpoint.
The letter cited U.S. Supreme Court precedent and said student groups have First Amendment rights to free speech and association.
The group gave Worcester State until April 30 to approve the club or face possible legal action.
Worcester State later approved the Turning Point USA club, according to the Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center.
The club now appears on Worcester State’s list of student organizations.
