Officials at St. John’s University will not override their student government’s rejection of a Turning Point USA chapter despite persistent efforts students have made to establish one. The university has not had a TPUSA chapter on campus since 2018.
Shortly after the passing of TPUSA Founder Charlie Kirk, student Massimo Guerriero, along with like-minded students, decided to form a chapter at St. John’s.The group provided a presentation to the student government explaining their intentions for the chapter. This presentation was laughed at by some student government members, who ultimately denied the chapter from recognition, according to Guerriero.
The student also noted that the university has several organizations that are explicitly political, making the rejection of TPUSA insensible.
“Throughout the process, we emphasized that our chapter would be nonpartisan, open to all students, and grounded in the Catholic and Vincentian values that define St. John’s University,” Guerriero told The College Fix. “We also highlighted the absence of any campus organizations dedicated to civil discourse and open political dialogue—something central to our mission.”
The university is standing behind its policy of student-approved organizations. Spokesperson Brian Browne commented on the decision, saying that most prospective student organizations, including the TPUSA chapter, failed to follow protocols for approval.
“During the Fall 2025 semester, only 4 of 19 proposed organizations successfully navigated the approval process,” Browne said, according to the New York Post. “St. John’s students interested in Turning Point USA are encouraged to reapply to SGI in the Spring or pursue other existing alternatives for department-sponsored organizational support.”
Bill Donohue, President of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, provided the New York Post with his opinion on the university’s decision, which he finds baffling.
“Charlie Kirk was an advocate for civil discourse on campus. That was his trademark,” Donohue said. “Why any school, especially a Catholic one, would find fault with that boggles the mind. St. John’s idea of inclusion clearly extends to the LGBTQ cause, but not the cause of free speech.”
