In a bizarre twist of events, St. John’s University, a private Catholic institution in New York, has managed to concoct a cocktail of irony and hypocrisy with their rejection of a TurningPoint USA (TPUSA) chapter. The student government’s decision to rebuff the conservative organization’s application has sparked questions about political bias and the role of the First Amendment in such institutions. The scenario evokes a sense of déjà vu, as this is not the first time TPUSA has faced the cold shoulder from St. John’s. The group was similarly turned away in 2020 and 2024. One might think St. John’s was auditioning for a role in a melodrama, given the plot twist that ensued.
Andrew Kovit, a spokesperson for TPUSA, points out the vagueness of the rejection, which simply read, “Sorry, at this time we regret to inform you.” It almost sounds like the sort of nonchalant message one might get from a dating app, rather than a learned institution claiming to impart wisdom. Kovit highlights the growing trend where Ivy League schools, which historically have snubbed organizations like TPUSA, are now welcoming them with open arms, leapfrogging past these so-called traditional religious bastions of education. Astonishingly, it seems Catholic and Christian universities are the ones playing hard to get, serving as fortresses against conservative student groups.
One notable TPUSA enthusiast, Anthony Romano, attempted to form a chapter at St. John’s back in 2020, only to face disappointment. Romano’s reaction was to pack his bags for Alabama, where he successfully integrated into the TPUSA community. Much like an evangelist spreading the gospel, Romano returned to New York, determined to illuminate the ‘hypocrisy in plain view’ at St. John’s. The school reportedly offers graduation festivities for nearly every group under the sun, from lavender ceremonies to gender-affirming housing, but when a group of students wish to discuss pro-America, pro-capitalist values, they’re met with a barricade.
The inconsistency doesn’t stop there. St. John’s seems to embody a paradox, portraying itself as a Catholic institution while endorsing activities that starkly contrast traditional Catholic teachings. Critics point out the presence of pro-Palestine groups and LGBTQ+ supportive initiatives, then express confusion over TPUSA’s rejection for its conservative ideals. It seems as if St. John’s misplaced its core mission statement somewhere between its old hymnbooks and the latest campus flyer.
In response to these repeated rejections, TPUSA calls upon St. John’s alumni and donors to assert pressure on their alma mater to reassess its stance and confront its evident scrutiny bias. It’s suggested that university presidents possess the authority to override such decisions but frequently choose complacency over action, preferring the refuge of political correctness. This ongoing saga at St. John’s underscores the peculiar tendency for certain private Catholic and Christian schools to shy away from conservatism, even as they claim to espouse a doctrine of inclusion and open dialogue. Perhaps these institutions should reacquaint themselves with the values they profess to champion, lest they face continued scrutiny from those who still hold them accountable.
