UPDATE: A conservative student at Beloit College in Wisconsin alleges the institution is actively blocking her and her peers from establishing a chapter of Turning Point USA (TPUSA). The conflict has escalated amid reports of harassment faced by the students, raising urgent concerns about campus safety and free expression.
On October 1, 2023, student Jocelyn Jordan and her classmates applied to start a TPUSA chapter but claim every faculty member they approached refused to support their initiative. Jordan reported that even the dean of students advised them to create a different group without the TPUSA name. “It took three and a half weeks for [Beloit College] to even address the situation, and that doesn’t give me much hope,” Jordan stated in an interview with Fox News Digital.
The students began promoting their chapter on social media in mid-October, triggering a severe harassment campaign. Disturbing images were shared online, labeling Jordan and her co-founders as “Nazis” and “white supremacists.” This harassment quickly escalated into direct threats against the students.
Jordan filed a police report after the situation intensified, prompting the college to take action by banning one of the main harassers, an alumnus who worked in campus food services. In response to the ongoing threats, the college issued a vague email highlighting the importance of respectful discourse, but many students felt it was too late.
“Social media harassment is prohibited behavior,” the email stated, but Jordan criticized it for lacking urgency. The harassment included a graphic depicting potential TPUSA board members alongside images of Charlie Kirk in a casket and Donald Trump on a cross, as well as sexualized depictions of Jordan herself. This campaign was largely orchestrated by a now-deleted Instagram account that aimed to intimidate the founding members.
The emotional toll on Jordan and her classmates cannot be overstated. “As a student, I should feel comfortable coming to campus no matter what beliefs I have,” she expressed. “Right now, I don’t feel comfortable.”
In response to these alarming events, Josh Schoemann, the GOP gubernatorial candidate in Wisconsin, has called for Beloit College to approve the TPUSA chapter. “Beloit College must approve the chapter and take immediate action to protect students from harassment and threats; anything less is a failure of leadership,” Schoemann stated, emphasizing the need for a safe environment for all students.
Current governor Tony Evers has announced plans to retire, leaving the political landscape ripe for discussion about campus free speech. The situation at Beloit College highlights a growing divide over political expression in educational institutions, and Jordan’s case is drawing national attention.
Beloit College has responded to the controversy, asserting that it is committed to fostering an environment of open inquiry and diversity of perspectives. The institution insists it is not blocking the students and claims to be acting in accordance with campus policies. However, many students remain skeptical of the college’s commitment to their safety and rights.
As the situation continues to develop, the students remain determined to secure a faculty advisor and officially establish their TPUSA chapter. The ongoing harassment and the college’s response will be closely monitored, as this case could set a precedent for similar situations across campuses nationwide.
The events unfolding at Beloit College exemplify the urgent need for dialogue surrounding free speech and student safety in today’s politically charged climate. As this story develops, all eyes will be on the actions of both the college administration and the students fighting for their rights.
