Student Prevented from Establishing a TPUSA Chapter at Catholic University of America
A student at the Catholic University of America (CUA) was barred from establishing a TPUSA chapter in March. This is the third failed attempt made by students at CUA to establish a new chapter after a previous one disbanded.
In response to his request, Assistant Director of Student Organization Leadership Anna Borges told the student, James Joseph Ong, that no new “politically-affiliated” clubs are allowed on campus. The ones already established “adequately address the political needs” of the student body, she said.
Ong responded to Borges with a series of questions. (See screenshot from email below).
Borges told Ong that she cannot prevent him from disregarding the university’s decision. However, if he did so, the club would receive no privileges of an approved organization and have no ability to use CUA’s name and image in reference to its status or activities.
According to Ong, a Students Supporting Israel (SSI) chapter was recently approved by the university and established as a student organization at CUA. SSI has a mission of “promoting a better understanding of Israel throughout North and South America as a member of the family of nations, with a fundamental right to exist as a Jewish, democratic state, within secure borders.”
Political clubs at CUA fall under the “Service and Special Interest” category of organizations. Young Americans for Freedom, Network of Enlightened Women, and College Republicans comprise the three conservative groups on CUA’s DC campus.
Though still an unofficial club, Ong said the university shut down the CUA TPUSA Instagram account “despite the fact that we did not use any university logos, watermarks, or copyrighted material.”
“This is a clear violation of free speech and an attempt to suppress our presence on campus,” Ong told TPUSA.
In 2021, Kayla Maloney, a student at the same university, attempted to create a new TPUSA chapter. After Maloney went back and forth with the administration, the university decided not to approve having TPUSA on campus.
Lawrence Morris, CUA Chief of Staff and counselor to the CUA President gave Campus Reform a message similar to the one provided to Ong recently by Borges:
“Turning Point was not approved for recognition because we have more interest in organizations than we can fairly offer to support. Denial this year is not a permanent denial but based on the current array of student organizations and the resources available to support them.”
