A Baldwin Wallace University student is facing peer resistance as she attempts to establish a Turning Point USA chapter on campus, citing increased support since the assassination of the organization’s co-founder, Charlie Kirk. Grace Pruchnicki, a senior at the university, reports experiencing hostility from fellow students, including vandalism of posters and hate speech in forms, but emphasizes the importance of free speech and dialogue. Faculty members have expressed support for the endeavor, while a student group, Students for Justice in Palestine, has opposed the chapter’s creation.
Pruchnicki, who will serve as president of the new chapter, stated that the push for the chapter gained momentum after Kirk’s assassination in September. The student said the tragic event brought out many who had previously been hesitant to speak out, and the group is now in the process of gaining formal recognition from the university. However, the chapter faces significant opposition from students and some campus groups.
One student, Carly Voltz, president of Baldwin Wallace’s Students for Justice in Palestine, started a petition to block the chapter’s formation. Volzt explained that the petition was a personal initiative to gauge student sentiment, though it has not yet reached consensus. Reports indicate that the petition has garnered over 198 responses, but the exact number of students who have signed it remains unclear. Pruchnicki, however, stated that the overwhelming support she received from faculty and peers has reassured her that the movement is gaining traction.
Despite facing backlash, Pruchnicki remains resolute in her pursuit of establishing the chapter. She has encouraged other students considering starting similar chapters to embrace the challenge and stand up for their beliefs, emphasizing that the pushback signifies the importance of their cause. The events at Baldwin Wallace reflect a broader trend of increased interest in conservative campus organizations following Kirk’s death.
Turning Point USA has reported a significant increase in inquiries about launching chapters since Kirk’s assassination. The organization noted that over 120,000 students have expressed interest in creating new chapters at high schools and colleges. This surge underscores the growing influence of conservative movements on college campuses, as students seek to form groups that align with their political and ideological beliefs.