Turning Point USA (TPUSA) , a conservative student organization, has been officially recognized by Wilkes University but not by the Student Government (SG), meaning it will not receive financial support or access to certain Student Government–affiliated resources this semester.
The decision came after club president Dylan Clark presented to the Student Government in an attempt to gain recognition and funding. While the group is acknowledged as a campus organization through university channels, it lacks the endorsement needed to receive allocations from SG’s student activity budget.
“Honestly, I think it worked out better the way that it went,” Clark said. “We’re an officially recognized club, but not student government recognized. We just won’t get funding from the student government.”
Clark said he plans to go through the recognition process again in the spring semester, expressing hope that with clearer communication and more support, the outcome might be different.
“I’d probably just reflect on everything I said and then update it to be more on topic. This time coming up, I probably will bring in another member of my club to do another presentation. Just so there’s another viewpoint to get represented other than just mine.”
Clark explained that during his presentation, some details may have distracted from his main points.
“I went off topic discussing the different 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) structures,” he said, referring to the distinctions between nonprofit and political education arms of national organizations.
Although the club will not receive Student Government funding, Clark said Turning Point USA’s national organization will continue to provide financial support.
“We get funding from Turning Point USA anyway,” he explained. “Any kind of event or anything, we can request funding from them just to get a fundraiser started.”
For the time being, Clark said the club does not need Student Government funds for its next project, a food drive. “We don’t need any funding for this next event, though. We’re doing a food drive,” he said.
When asked how he plans to maintain participation without funding or official SG status, Clark admitted it has been a challenge.
“I’m still working on members actually participating, but right now we’re in wrestling season and a lot of the members are wrestlers,” he said.
Despite the setback, Clark said he wasn’t shocked by the decision when asked if he anticipated a different outcome.
“Not necessarily, just because of the notes that I read from the first presentation,” he said. “I kind of figured they had cold feet about my whole presentation to begin with.”
He believes the recent online discussions about political organizations on campus may have influenced Student Government’s hesitation.
“Just because of all the publicity on YikYak and all the news media publicity about all the recent events,” he added, referring to chatter that has circulated around campus in recent weeks.
Turning Point USA is a national nonprofit organization that promotes conservative and free-market principles on college campuses across the country. The organization has chapters at hundreds of universities, often sparking debate due to its outspoken political messaging.
Dr. Justin C. Matus, the club’s faculty advisor, acknowledged the ongoing discussion between the organization and Student Government but declined to give a detailed statement at this time.
“I am the club advisor,” Matus said in an email to The Beacon. “I am scheduled to meet with the student government leadership next week, so I would rather speak with them first before I make any comments.”
The Beacon reached out to Student Body President Adam Butterwick for comment regarding the decision not to recognize the club but received no response. Recording Secretary Saraiya Zaheer also stated she could not provide further comment on the matter.