Loyola University Student Government Denies Turning Point USA Chapter Again
Loyola University’s student government voted Wednesday night to deny the Turning Point USA chapter’s application for registered student organization (RSO) status once more. This decision came after the group had previously won an appeal from the school’s review court, which directed that the case be returned to the student council, following an initial rejection in October. As of now, the student government has not disclosed its reasons for this latest denial of the conservative organization.
Ethan Estis, a law student at Loyola New Orleans, expressed his frustration, stating, “This is pure politics again.” He raised concerns about the Student Government Association’s (SGA) strict adherence to certain rules, suggesting that these were not enforced during the chapter’s initial meeting.
Before the latest meeting began, Estis noted that the room was overcrowded, and a member of the SGA requested that people leave, mentioning potential fire code issues. He commented, “Unlike last time, none of the protocols within the SGA were followed.” This time, he perceived that they seemed to be using the rules selectively to their advantage.
Estis expressed surprise at some statements made during the meeting, especially since it was open to the public. He felt that the number of attendees wasn’t properly considered, adding that many were there to protest, not just observe.
He mentioned that despite the public nature of the meeting, at least one senator suggested holding it only with undergraduates present—a motion that was deemed inappropriate by the vice president due to constitutional constraints.
Outside the venue, several protesters arrived holding signs and chanting slogans like “No KKK USA” along with remarks directed at a conservative commentator. The SGA’s previous decision to disallow the chapter sparked significant backlash, with the Louisiana Republican Party pledging support for students in this ongoing battle. Chair Derek Babcock voiced the party’s commitment to “right the wrong” if the chapter faced rejection again.
Estis explained that the review tribunal had identified procedural deviations in the SGA’s initial vote and noted that objections to the chapter were largely subjective, touching on themes like student safety. However, the procedures in the student handbook mandated that the SGA would reconsider the case, leaving the Turning Point group without further recourse for appeal.
In closing, Estis remarked that despite the denials, they plan to pursue their objectives externally. He asserted that it was unjust for any organization, regardless of political orientation, to be denied RSO status by groups that already have it. Loyola New Orleans and the SGA have yet to respond to inquiries regarding these developments.
