Turning Point USA's next event. Photo by Sage R. Robbins.
On Wednesday, March 19, the new UAA chapter of Turning Point USA held its first gathering in the Lyla Richards Conference Room at the UAA Student Union. The gathering included roughly 12 attendees moving in and out.
Turning Point USA is a network of college clubs around the United States that educates students about conservative political values. It was founded in 2016 by Charlie Kirk. The UAA chapter of Turning Point USA was established by a student named Cody Deschweinitz approximately four weeks ago.
The Northern Light sat down with the majority of the attending students to discuss Turning Point USA and its impact on campus.
Deschweinitz and Vice President Samantha Bennet said they seek to create a safe space for students with conservative political values and educate the student body on conservatism. Deschweinitz said they plan to meet weekly for discussion and group debates.
Deschweinitz said he and others at the gathering felt that students with conservative beliefs at UAA feel afraid to express their thoughts and beliefs in public spaces due to conflicting opinions with other students and faculty.
One student shared their opinion of the differences in tolerance for criticism between conservatives and liberals.
They asked to remain anonymous to avoid pushback from what they called the “radical left.”
They said that as conservatives, they can disagree with others' opinions, points and arguments and not “exile” them, while people in the Democratic Party seem unable to stomach opposing opinions and label them as fascists.
Deschweinitz said a student came into the conference room while he was setting up and stole a box of pizza shortly before the group’s opening gathering. Deschweinitz said he was on the phone at the time and unable to stop the intruder.
Deschweinitz said the student told him, “You’re not welcome here,” before taking the pizza. Deschweinitz said his only response was, “Well, you’re welcome here.”
The Northern Light followed up with the University Police Department to seek information on this claim. University police Chief Earle said UPD had no reports related to this incident.
Deschweinitz also said the majority of Turning Point USA’s posters around campus have been ripped down. “I would never go out of my way to discriminate against someone due to their political beliefs,” said Deschweinitz.
Bennet said conservative students at UAA are walking on eggshells and are afraid to suggest alternative opinions from what she referred to as the “majority left.”
One key topic throughout the interview was the subject of diversity, equity and inclusion, known as DEI.
Recently, the University of Alaska Board of Regents made a change to university DEI policy. The change has received media coverage and pushback at UAA.
Deschweinitz and other students attending agreed among themselves that DEI was not strengthening UAA’s community.
One student said diversity should be about diversity of thought and that skin color and sexual orientation say nothing about what a person believes or who they are.
Some students also said cultural differences should be respected. They expressed their support for institutions such as the UAA Pride Center and Community and Belonging.
They also said conservative students should have a space on campus to express their opinions and views, too.
Destiny Woko, UAA’s Black Student Union President, attended the gathering. She said she is not a part of UAA’s Turning Point USA chapter, and came to gather information and promote inclusivity.
Woko said that what she called “extreme leftism” can occasionally cause problems when none exist.
Her example for this was when the University of Southern California Suzanne-Dworak-Peck School of Social Work removed the word “field” from their curriculum, fearing that the word could be considered anti-Black in 2023.
She said some people spread the idea that minorities are oppressed even if some are not or haven’t been.
The students who are part of UAA’s Turning Point USA said they invite their peers to join the club. Deschweinitz said they are keen to provide a safe space for everyone’s political beliefs and educate people about conservative politics through respectful debates and discussions.
Their next social event takes place on April 17. Conservative activists Anthony Watson and Stephen Davis will speak in the Student Union cafeteria. Deschweintz said they will be discussing free speech, conservative values and challenging leftist ideologies.
Deschweinitz also said the chapter is making an effort to invite Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, to speak in the Alaska Airlines Center in the fall semester.
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