Point Loma Nazarene University's student government has rejected a third attempt to establish an officially recognized Turning Point USA chapter on the San Diego campus, citing concerns about the organization's Professor Watchlist and its compatibility with university values.
University President Kerry Fulcher announced the Associated Student Body Board of Directors' decision in a November 5 email to students, explaining that the board's rationale focused specifically on TPUSA's Professor Watchlist, a website that identifies faculty members the organization claims discriminate against conservative students and advance leftist propaganda in classrooms. The watchlist, launched in 2016, publishes names and information about professors accused of political bias.
"I felt silenced when I got that email. I felt like I couldn't speak anymore."
Luke Cole, the elected secretary of the chapter and a third-year student, expressed frustration with the decision. The university stated that while applicants indicated they would not participate in the watchlist, their application included phrasing that mirrors language used on TPUSA's website in connection with it. President Fulcher emphasized that the practice is not aligned with the Associated Student Body's purpose of fostering constructive communication between students, faculty, and administration.
This marks the third rejection in five years for TPUSA at Point Loma, with previous attempts also citing concerns about the Professor Watchlist. The university's opposition comes amid broader scrutiny of the Christian institution's direction. Ginger Friess, a freshman biochemistry student who led the latest application effort, said she was motivated by what she described as watching students and faculty who identified as Christian celebrate human death following the September assassination of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk.
Students have raised additional concerns about the university's treatment of conservative organizations. The rejection occurred while the campus hosts pro-LGBTQ student groups and events including pronoun pin making and decolonizing yoga sessions. Students also allege the university forced them to ban outside community members from a Charlie Kirk memorial vigil and removed informal memorial items like flowers and photographs.
President Fulcher acknowledged in his statement that the decision would land differently for different people, encouraging the community to respond in a way that reflects Christ-centered commitment to mutual respect and thoughtful dialogue. He emphasized that students who hold conservative views are valued members of the community and that other conservative chartered clubs participate fully in campus life.
Rather than abandoning their efforts, the TPUSA chapter is organizing as an off-campus group open to both students and the public, modeling themselves after Young Life, which effectively ministers to Point Loma students while remaining independent from the university. The controversy reflects broader tensions at Christian colleges nationwide as TPUSA chapters navigate institutional concerns about the Professor Watchlist while seeking to establish a presence on campuses.