Northwestern State University of Louisiana approved a Turning Point USA chapter as a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) on Nov. 20 following a closed committee hearing last semester.
Eddie Horton, head of the Committee on Organizations, said the committee reached a group consensus on Nov. 19 to approve the chapter after reviewing that the paperwork was in order.
“It is not our job to stop an organization for any other reason than paperwork,” Horton said. “The content of the organization is more of a Student Government Association (SGA) issue. I encourage anyone to express their thoughts about TPUSA, both good and bad, to their SGA representative.”
The rise of TPUSA chapters is not limited to NSU, but rather a state and national movement following the assassination of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk in September 2025. This sparked debate surrounding the potential chapter’s appearance at NSU.
On Dec. 6, Dutch Kor, a junior biology major and the TPUSA chapter president, put out a statement on the chapter’s official Instagram, addressing the chapter’s approval and growing misrepresentation about TPUSA.
“Despite misrepresentation, Turning Point USA at NSU wants to be a positive agent for change and education on campus. We do not seek to silence; rather we encourage those who disagree to converse in the hopes that we can bridge the gap between ideologies. We hope to see each and every NSU student stop at tabling events and meetings to bring a new perspective on many well-worn subjects,” the Instagram post stated.
Kor addressed the hearing. “Although I sensed that the outcome would be in the chapter’s favor, I still experienced an understandable degree of nervousness,” he added, explaining that he was confident the committee would be impartial, ask tough questions and have fair judgement.
Kor shared that the TPUSA’s members are excited moving forward into the spring semester. While there are no official events scheduled yet, he added that the establishment of the chapter adds an outlet for conservative ideals to be fostered on-campus.
“It invites an open exchange of ideas in a civil manner,” Kor said. “Agree or disagree, it is better to have a conversation in the hopes of bridging a gap than to live in animosity and division. I feel that we can grow from conversation and that is what Turning Point USA brings to NSU.”
Following the statement, the NSU community gave its input toward the approval both on and off social media.
Jordyn Lyons, a freshman psychology major, was disappointed following the chapter’s approval, stating that NSU’s chapter—and TPUSA in general—is completely unnecessary and only built to spread hate.
“NSU should be a place to learn, connect with others and obtain your degree. However, it has become a breeding ground for politics. If anything, our university should have remained neutral with everyone having their individual opinions,” Lyons said. “NSU’s TPUSA chapter is forcing their opinions onto a campus filled with college students who are trying to get their education, not debate over basic human rights.”
Jenianne Chase, a sophomore psychology major, said she is thrilled that the chapter was approved, adding that she thinks students should know that TPUSA is not harmful.
“I think that we grow as people when our views are pushed, and TPUSA does that for a lot of our students. I have fully supported them from the beginning, not just for their values, but also for the fact that they bring in more diversity to our campus,” Chase said. “Not being able to accept the right to freedom of speech and not being able to accept differing opinions is something that happens in countries that aren’t America. This is America, and I am glad NSU allows students to practice these rights.”
