A determined freshman at Loyola University New Orleans has pledged to persist in her efforts to establish a campus chapter of the conservative group Turning Point USA (TPUSA). This comes after the university's Student Government Association (SGA) rejected the application for official recognition not once, but twice, sparking a debate about free speech and ideological diversity on the Catholic campus.
Initial Denial and Legal Challenge
Anistin Murray, who aimed to serve as president of the proposed TPUSA chapter, detailed the months-long struggle during the organization's AmericaFest conference in Phoenix. She, along with two other students, saw their initial application for official club status denied by the SGA. The group then sought legal guidance from Loyola's own law students to mount a formal appeal against the decision.
Ethan Estis, a law student involved in the appeal, criticized the SGA's initial rejection, telling Fox News it relied on "subjective reasoning" and was not properly grounded in the university's established rules. This appeal proved successful at one level, with the university's Court of Review siding with the students and sending the application back to the SGA for reconsideration.
Second Rejection and Claims of Silencing
Despite the court's intervention, the SGA denied the group recognition a second time. According to Murray, student leaders argued that the TPUSA chapter would cause "discomfort and disruption" on campus—a characterization she firmly rejected. Murray countered that the group's purpose is to promote civil dialogue and respectful debate, not hostility. She emphasized to Fox News that disagreement on political views should not prevent constructive discussion.
Murray also claimed that while the SGA presented itself as representing the majority student view, some members within the body actually supported granting the charter. She expressed that students who hold conservative values feel marginalized and silenced by the repeated denials, undermining the inclusive environment a university should foster.
Determination to Continue the Fight
Facing two setbacks, Murray and her peers are not giving up. They are developing a plan to continue pursuing official recognition through all available university channels. "We are not backing down," Murray stated firmly in her conversation with Fox News. She added that the group remains open to further dialogue and hopes to work within the university's guidelines while steadfastly maintaining its core aims.
Murray framed TPUSA as an organization that reflects faith-driven values aligned with conservative principles and argued that such a group would contribute positively to campus learning, where critical discussion is central. A representative from Loyola University New Orleans confirmed that there is no limit on appeals and that students are free to pursue another review. The university noted, however, that no new supporting materials have been submitted since the SGA president upheld the second denial. The SGA itself has not publicly commented on the matter.
