TPUSA Chapter President Disinvited from Sorority over Political Posts
The president of the Turning Point USA chapter at Shippensburg University was disinvited from a sorority due to her political posts, including a quote from Dr. Ben Carson criticizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Kellyn Weber, a freshman studying political science, created her school’s Turning Point USA chapter and serves as its president. Last month, Weber had gone through the unofficial membership process for the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and was assured that her political views would not be an issue. After an interview with sorority leaders, she was offered a bid, which she accepted.
However, shortly after, Weber received a call from a sorority leader informing her that an advisor had raised concerns over some of her social media posts critical of DEI. One post in question featured a quote from Ben Carson at AmericaFest, stating, “Aren’t you glad corporations are seeing that DEI needs to D-I-E?”
“The sorority leaders and I proceeded to have many messages back and forth about their concerns. One of the messages sent to me stated, ‘In all honesty, this is our way of saying we can’t have these posts up now.’ At the time, I was extremely elated that I was invited into a sorority, and, against my better judgment, I agreed to take the post down,” Weber said in an article published by The College Fix.
She later asked if her affiliation with TPUSA would be an issue, as she intended to remain involved. In response, the sorority told her a discussion with the advisor would be had, and hours later she was informed the sorority was rescinding her bid.
Alpha Omicron Pi informed Weber that the sorority takes DEI very seriously. The sorority currently has a DEI section on its website that states that DEI “is an integral part of our values as an organization, but also a part of what we do in our collegiate chapters and in the international organization.”
Weber questioned the decision, noting that Alpha Omicron Pi’s official policy states that it does not “unduly restrict individual members.” She argued that the requirement to remove social media posts and the decision to revoke her bid contradicted this policy.
“I wonder, was I restricted due to my political opinions as a whole? Or was it my membership in TPUSA? Or was it because of a repost that I was willing to take down?” she asked.
