The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has approved the creation of a Turning Point USA chapter after its student government originally voted to block the group from being established on campus.
In a statement Thursday, UTC officials said, “As part of the process of becoming a Registered Student Organization at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the Dean of Student’s Office has completed its review of a group of students’ application to establish a chapter of Turning Point USA on campus. The Dean of Students’ Office has determined that Turning Point USA is approved as a Registered Student Organization.”
“While the Student Government Association may voice opinions, recognition of student organizations is determined by the UTC Dean of Students and Chancellor. Turning Point USA has been authorized in accordance with university policy and the law,” the statement added.
The approval follows pushback over the initial denial of the chapter. TPUSA’s Andrew Kolvet criticized the decision in a post on X on Wednesday, writing that the decision “effectively blocks our students from gaining official recognition on campus” and forces them to restart the approval process.
“Tennessee, are these the values of your state? Your tax dollars are propping this garbage up,” Kolvet said prior to the university’s announcement.
Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn had also weighed in, urging UTC officials to approve the chapter.
“The Student Government Association at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga just voted to recommend that a [TPUSA] chapter not be approved,” Blackburn posted on X. “Do the right thing and approve the Turning Point chapter immediately.”
