Graduates encourage St. John’s to lift the ban on the Turning Point USA chapter at the campus.

Republican Legislators Urge St. John’s University to Reassess Decision on Turning Point USA

A group of six Republican state legislators is appealing to St. John’s University, their alma mater, to reverse a decision that has prevented the late Charlie Kirk’s conservative organization, Turning Point USA, from establishing a chapter on the Queens campus.

The student government at SJU, one of the largest Catholic universities in the U.S., turned down Turning Point’s application just a few months after Kirk was killed in a sniper attack on September 10.

In a letter to Eva Wilson, president of the SJU Student Government Inc., Paul stated, “Allowing Turning Point USA to operate on campus will not only provide students with an additional platform for civic engagement, it will also enhance the university’s reputation as a place where all students can express their views.”

The letter was signed by alumni including state Senators Andrew Lanza, Jack Martins, and Anthony Palumbo, along with state Representatives Ed La, Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, and John Micklin. It was also sent to Rev. Brian Shanley, the university’s president, and other officials.

The legislators emphasized that “ensuring all political voices can be heard on campus reaffirms St. John’s University’s commitment to academic freedom and respectful discourse. We urge you to rethink this decision,” they wrote.

It’s worth noting that the student government, rather than the administration, is responsible for approving new club applications.

Turning Point USA has not gained approval as a club this semester either.

Massimo Guerriero, a 19-year-old SJU student hoping to set up a Turning Point USA chapter, expressed frustration: “The university seems to overlook the opinions of conservative Catholic students who want fair representation.”

Guerriero mentioned that when a majority of students lean liberal, the student government tends to mirror that bias, promoting liberal agendas while muffling opposing views. “The administration avoids stepping in, assuming that donors and alumni won’t hold them accountable. This flawed system allows liberal ideologies to dominate university life,” he asserted.

He added that while organizations for LGBTQ and Muslim students are welcomed, denying Christian-themed groups like Turning Point USA a space on campus is “unacceptable.” Guerriero even urged alumni to reconsider their financial support for the university.

“I implore the McAllen Society, the Founders Association, and all donors to reassess their contributions because if Catholic youth aren’t represented at Catholic institutions, money should reflect their voices,” he stated.