Student body president vetoes TPUSA Ban

Texas State Student Body President Alison Castillo announced Thursday afternoon that she is vetoing the student legislation banning Turning Point USA from campus.

In a memo to the university president, vice president of student affairs, dean of students, assistant dean of students, members of student government and Texas State University students, Castillo announced her veto of “The Faculty and Student Safety Resolution of 2019,” which the Student Senate passed Monday night.

“This issue is one of incredible importance to students at Texas State University, our community members and individuals all across the state,” the memo reads. “My decision is neither partisan nor ideological; rather, it is one that upholds the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.”

Castillo said in the memo that the removal of Turning Point USA, a conservative student organization, would set a bad precedent of banning opposing opinions.

“It is my duty to serve all students no matter their differing opinions and I will ensure that every student’s rights are upheld until the end of my term,” she wrote.

Castillo urged all students to use the resources and procedures available to deal with organizations or individuals violating the student code of conduct.

“We have Student Justice, which addresses individual behavior, and Student Involvement, which addresses organizational behavior, set in place to assist us, students, with any concerns regarding disruptions they feel violate any university policies,” she wrote.

The Texas State Student Senate voted Monday night to ban Turning Point USA from campus, citing allegations of harassment of students and faculty and of illegal campaign activity. The discussion drew comments from members of the public on both sides of the issue. Two days later, a Turning Point USA spokesman visited campus to talk to students about the organization and the student government vote.

After the legislation to ban Turning Point USA from Texas State was introduced, the university released a statement noting that the student government does not have the authority to remove a student organization from campus. Organizations are only removed if they face disciplinary action from the administration.