Story is co-written/ produced with Stephen Pierce
Turning Point USA has a complicated reputation on WCU’s campus. Some associate it with political concepts such as fiscal responsibility, limited government, and free markets, while others associate it with unsolicited text messages and harassment towards students who have differing political views.
According to the WCU chapter of Turning Point USA’s home page on Engage, they aim to build the most organized, active, and powerful conservative grassroots activist network on high school and college campuses. They use “innovative messaging techniques and strategic outreach methods” to reach students. In the past, these outreach methods have included sending WCU students unsolicited text messages and emails.
They seek out students that believe in far right-wing politics. Turning Point USA gets students involved in fighting for limited government involvement and free markets. Students are thought to build strong campus networks, organize conferences and training workshops, and equip activists with knowledge and strategies to combat the left.
WCU Turning Point USA is not like other regular student organizations (RSO) on campus. While other RSO’s have a WCU faculty advisor, Turning Point does not have an adviser. Former Turning Point USA President Branden Chafin said they went through six different facility members, some of whom said they could not because they were afraid of losing their job.
Turning Point got Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal organization, to do pro-bono work for them. ADF sent a letter demanding the school to recognize Turning Point due to viewpoint discrimination.
Turning Point USA has been accused of leaking a student’s personal information and making student’s afraid of attacks from their members. There are rumors they cyberbullied a freshman who approached their table until they were too scared to leave their dorm.
To hear stories and perspectives of students and Turning Point’s opinion on the harassment allegations, watch the video below.
Bashuan Smith, Dean of Students, has stated that any student being harassed on campus or social media needs to complete a Bias Report.
“Please note,” Smith said, “We will review all reports, but just because a student or group is documented, does not mean they are responsible. Each person/group has a right to due process as outlined in our Code (Section 6.05, p. 19).”
For students being harassed on campus, you can go to WCU’s Bias Report or visit the CAPS website for help.
