Louisiana GOP Supports Turning Point USA Chapter After Rejection by New Orleans University, Citing ‘Injustice

This article is a part of Fox News Digital’s investigative series, Campus Radicals. Access the complete series here. The Louisiana GOP has stepped in to support students at Loyola University New Orleans who have founded a chapter of Turning Point USA, only to face rejection by the student government, which has denied the group official status on campus. Louisiana GOP Chairman Derek Babcock expressed his encouragement for the students to adhere to the outlined procedures. “We advise the students to follow the process as it is established,” Babcock shared with Fox News Digital. “This is the appropriate initial step, and we are committed to supporting them throughout this journey.” On October 15, during a student senate meeting, the Student Government Association (SGA) decided against allowing the group to charter, effectively preventing it from becoming an officially recognized campus organization. This decision means the group will not receive university funding or be able to reserve spaces on campus for events. According to Babcock, the group is gearing up to appeal the SGA’s decision through the appropriate channels within the student government framework. “If they’re denied again, I believe that is an injustice that needs to be rectified, and we’re going to be there to help them in any and every way necessary to right the injustice,” he said. The SGA reportedly denied the charter after students raised concerns that Turning Point does not share the same values as the Jesuit Catholic school. “Loyola University New Orleans, and our whole Jesuit Community, have prided themselves on the core values of Saint Ignatius, and the Society of Jesus at large. As it stands, Turning Point USA, its leaders, and many of the individuals whom they support are in direct opposition of these values,” one student reportedly said. The student attributed quotes to Turning Point’s founder, Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on Sept. 10, about “queer people are trying to corrupt your children” and “transgenderism and gender fluidity are lies that hurt people and abuse kids,” as evidence for that claim. However, official Catholic Church doctrine does not support gay marriage or transgenderism. Another student, who identified herself as Hispanic, claimed Kirk held bigoted views towards Hispanics. “You know, as far as the student government, I certainly would encourage them to take a better look at this and think twice about the initial decision they made,” Babcock said, noting that other right-leaning groups like the Federalist Society exist on campus along with other faith-based organizations. “There is no justifiable reason for denying Turning Point to have a chapter at that university,” he said. “That’s an argument we’ll make in every arena that it needs to be made. And if that’s what has to happen, we’ll be there with those students to help support them through that process.” Babcock also called for the school to look into the matter, and possibly override the SGA’s decision, though he said he respects the school’s commitment to allowing students to govern themselves. “Well, I think that they need to be paying attention to this, and they need to take it seriously, because if they don’t have a mechanism in place today… they need to get one quickly, because it may become necessary,” he said. Babcock pointed to the support for Turning Point USA from Gov. Jeff Landry, who on Monday night spoke at a Turning Point event at Louisiana State University and called for the school to erect a statue of Kirk. “I know they’re a private university, but they’re in the state of Louisiana, and here’s our Louisiana governor, not just supporting but actually speaking at and advocating for Turning Point events and memorials,” he said. “So, you know, that university administration needs to think very carefully about what’s happening here.” When asked about the appeals process, Loyola spokesperson, Aariel Charbonnet, pointed Fox News Digital to a document containing the SGA bylaws, which says, “The Court of Review shall handle all appeals rendered to it by the constituents of Loyola University of New Orleans Student Government association.” The document explains that every Justice on the Court of Review has a vote on all the matters before the court. It is unclear whether the Turning Point chapter members have the opportunity to plead their case in front of the court. Charbonnet said there is no process by which the university administration could override an SGA decision, except under certain conditions involving legality or conflicts with rules and regulations of the school. “Any part of this Constitution or any resolution passed under its authorization that is in conflict with the laws of the United States of America, the State of Louisiana, or with any rules or regulations of Loyola University New Orleans, shall be null and void from the time of its enactment,” the school’s constituion says. “The Student Government Association will support through its actions and programs the goals, purposes, and values of Loyola University New Orleans … and will abide by all university policies and procedures.”