By Betsy Carreño
Around 25 students filled the Student Government Association (SGA) meeting, expressing their worry and opposition toward Turning Point USA (TPUSA) being associated with Dominican University and being a possible chapter.
SGA decided to open the floor during their most recent meeting after recent controversy that sparked on campus over the opening of an Instagram account associating TPUSA to Dominican University.
About 10 students spoke out against TPUSA. Only one student, Vice President of SGA Michael Greco, spoke in favor of it.
After the Instagram account was made, students expressed pushback and concern regarding TPUSA on the FIZZ app, later on deleting their posts after an email by the Dean of Students, Sarah Johnson, was sent out clarifying that the River Forest Police Department was investigating threats that were made.
During the meeting, SGA clarified that the TPUSA Instagram account has put in their bio “Not affiliated with Dominican University,” along with emphasizing that as of now, there has been no formal communication between students wanting to start the chapter to get RSO status and the Dean of Students Office, SGA, and the Office of Student Involvement.
SGA first brought up during their meeting the ways in which the impeachment process works for SGA members. This was due to multiple students expressing their desire to impeach Vice President Michael Greco on the FIZZ app for being one of the students who wanted to bring TPUSA to Dominican.
Greco during the meeting stated, “I think it’s important for civil dialogue in this country to understand where people sit and understand the other side. I think that’s important. I think that less violence is good in this country. Something that Charlie Kirk always used to say in a quote that I heard is that when people stop talking, bad things happen. So in marriages, when people stop talking in marriages, divorce happens, right? When citizens in a country stop talking, Civil war happens… I think that people have a right to make that club. As long as they follow RSO status and RSO policies, and the guidelines that would do with that.”
The advisor of SGA, and Dean of Students, Sarah Johnson, explained, “There are a couple different ways that an SGA member can have their membership revoked. One of them is through impeachment… one of them is through resignation, and one of them is through our attendance policy… The first grounds for impeachment must be wrong with falling, an intentional violation of SGA’s Constitution bylaws, or a violation of the code of conduct.”
A violation of the code of conduct would mean that a student has had due process.This would entail a direct violation where the student has had an opportunity for an educational meeting, along with a hearing where the student was officially found in violation.
It was clarified in the meeting before the open floor that no letters have been submitted for the impeachment of any of the SGA members.
To submit impeachment letters, you are able to find contact information for SGA members on Engage DU. According to Johnson, a letter calling for impeachment should explain the grounds as to why an impeachment is wanted.
For more information about the impeachment process, it is outlined in the SGA constitution starting on page eight.
The floor then opened for students who attended the meeting, where one student expressed concern over the watchlist for professors. Breaking in tears, the student explained concern over their professors being put on the watchlist for not being a sponsor of TPUSA. Many of the professors in the watchlist have been doxed, harassed, and harmed.
There are currently no Dominican professors on the TPUSA watchlist.
Prior to the meeting starting, Leah Knobbe, a student at Dominican, was handing out “I oppose TPUSA At DU” buttons.
Once the open floor began, Knobbe stated, “I’m concerned about students’ safety, I’m concerned about my professor’s safety, and I’m really concerned with the fact that this could put a target on undocumented students’ backs… I’m really worried about my fellow students, about my fellow professors, and I would like somebody to be able to advocate for me.”
“I’m also concerned about how Turning Point the Chapter sometimes brings in those booths to debate students, and I’m concerned about potential violence happening on campus because of that,” Knobbe said.
Another student, Marwa Abdullah also expressed their concerns over the potential chapter opening, “I think what the root of the problem is that when a harmful legacy exists, and says ‘that this is what we’re trying to do,’ against the backdrop of everything that’s been done by an organization, that is what causes students to feel unsafe, that is what causes students to feel unheard, and that is where the disruption becomes.”
“I think about the work and the efficacy and the amount of work it took for us to get approval to do work to protest the genocide of Palestine, I kind of find the institutional response from the student body’s reaction to feeling unsafe or feeling unheard to be a little bleak, in the sense that there were a lot more regulations that I had to go through for my work, versus, well there’s just nothing we can do because [it’s] free speech,” Abdullah said.
During the meeting, Johnson also confirmed the steps when a national organization is looking to be a chapter at Dominican. It would consist of the student meeting with a member of OSI, having an executive board, having an advisor, and a constitution.
What is an added layer, for any organization to become a chapter when they are from a national organization is the approval of the Dean of students office.
It was noted in the meeting that members of SGA are made to sign a member agreement in their first meeting. Part of the agreement explains that members speaking from their position should refrain from using their personal opinions due to being responsible for representing the entire student body. If they are speaking separately of their SGA position, they are able to speak from their personal opinion.
To voice more concerns to SGA, there is a form on their Instagram, @domusga, page for students to fill out.
The Dominican Star will continue to follow this story. For more information and updates, visit the website dominicanstar.com
So let me get this straight: decidedly left-leaning organizations can have MULTIPLE clubs on campus (even some contrary to Catholic teaching… looking at you, PRISM), but there can’t be ONE right-leaning group without everyone losing their minds?
I agree, so much for their “inclusivity” yet they don’t allow students who might be conservative, to create a club or share their opinions without getting attacked. Dominican is only catholic or try to be, when it’s convenient to them.
Willing to bet there are more conservatives at Dominican than people think (even professors), but they’ve been forced into silence due to the threat to their careers, social standing, and maybe even future.
This is probably how the powers that be at Dominican will keep TPUSA from starting a chapter. None of the professors are willing to risk their careers or ability to support their family to become the faculty advisor.
To the students who claim they feel unsafe that some students want to open a chapter of TPUSA at Dominican: you do realize that you’re free to speak your mind on campus and even open your own clubs without fear of repercussion meanwhile Charlie Kirk was literally assassinated for having a different opinion, right?
jeezus, these students are so fragile, cant handle others opinions due to not “feeling safe”…. how about you all grow up? if the WW2 generation of young had been like you we would be living the “Man in the High Castle” series. But then again, a lot less fragile whining if we did!
SGA VP Greco is right. As long as a chapter, at any university, applies and follows their respective college’s/univeristy’s procedures, they should be allowed to form. AND he’s also right in saying that we need to have civil discourse. Why do so many people feel they preach tolerance and love, BUT only if you agree with them? Then if you disagree with them, they try canceling you, threaten you, vilify you with vitriol. Remember DU students you are attending Catholic university regardless if you’re in a sanctuary city or sanctuary state. AND, DU, remember allowing this vitriol to happen goes against Catholic tenements, as does allowing cross dressing, LGBTQ, etc. Just simply read various bible verses, you’ll find your answers there. Stop perpetuating division and spread love thru Christ!