After granting the pro-capitalism club Turning Point USA tabling rights on campus last fall, administrators at St. Thomas University — founded in 1961 by Augustinians expelled from Cuba by the communist Castro dictatorship — revoked that permission this spring.
Officials at the Miami-based school had cited some vague concern about the student group’s “use of foul language,” perhaps its slogan “socialism sucks.” But Turning Point members said they believed many at the school just didn’t like their pro-capitalism stance.
But some 10 days after that decision was reported on by The College Fix, a story that was tweeted by Donald Trump Jr. and went viral, the school has backed off its decision to not allow the group on campus.
Irony: At Miami college founded by Cubans exiled under communism, officials shut down pro-capitalism club https://t.co/TTdtVyJA6l
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) April 10, 2017
“After meeting with members of the administration, the school admitted that they improperly handled the club registration process,” Matt Lamb, an official with Turning Point USA, told The College Fix via email. “The club will be able to register as an official club with all the privileges granted to other clubs, according to Miami field director Driena Sixto, who attended the meeting.”
Carmen Brown, vice president of student affairs, gave a slightly different but still positive response on the situation.
“St Thomas University administrators have met with representatives from Turning Point USA in order to dialogue about various concerns. St Thomas University has invited Turning Point USA to follow the usual protocol in applying as a campus organization,” Brown told The Fix via email.
This change indicates the school’s previous stance that Turning Point USA did not align with “Catholic core values” has been reconsidered. Lamb said with only four weeks left in the school year, the students are eyeing the fall semester for a strong comeback.
“We are happy to see the club get approved and to move past this and build a strong and thriving chapter at St. Thomas,” Lamb said.
MORE: At Miami college founded by Cubans exiled under communism, officials shut down pro-capitalism club
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