The currently registered student organization "Turning Point USA at Michigan Technological University" (TPUSA at MTU) needs your help.  

There is an upcoming speaker event scheduled TITLED "BE BRAVE with Brandon Tatum" for March 21st at 7 pm in Fisher Hall Room 135 and we are excited to welcome Brandon Tatum to our campus to speak. 

We are hosting this NON-PARTISAN event for freedom of speech where ALL STUDENTS on campus are welcome to join us regardless of if they share our values. In order to make sure this event is a success we have to secure funding in order to pay the speakers honorarium.  

Some ways that we are going about this include (% = Percentage of total funds required)

• Securing Grants from TPUSA (40%)
• Opportunity Fund Request VIA the Michigan Tech Student Government (35%)
• Securing Grants from The Leadership Institute (20%)
• Securing Funds from local business owners (2%)
• Fundraising via grassroots (can drive etc) (3%)

There is a current push by a small group of people that do not want us to receive the funding in order to fulfill our contractual obligations to Brandon Tatum and his team.  

As a student organization, we have gone through the proper channels in order to receive funding VIA the Undergraduate Student Government (USG). Article VI - The Opportunities Fund Policy - of the USG Bylaws under Section 1 - Statement of Purpose -clearly states that the "Fund is to provide funding for... ...or new initiatives of student organizations that were not previously budgeted for" 

This is important to us as an organization because we are brand new and have not had the opportunity to submit a budget.  This spring is going to be a large milestone for us as a group because we will be submitting our first budget to be approved and used for events like this going forward.

Also, TPUSA executive board members have already spoken with the Ways and Means Committee (WaM) regarding the opportunity request and they are recommending that the USG board allocates $3,500 for the event.

SOURCE: WaM Email to TPUSA Tresuerar 

"Hello, WaM has decided to recommend an allocation of 3500. We will introduce this recommendation at tonight's meeting. The USG body will vote on this recommendation during February 15th. We meet from 7pm - 9pm in MUB Alumni Lounge A. You are encouraged to attend. "

We are ENCOURAGING all students to fight for what they believe in and help us secure the funding VIA the Undergraduate Student Government as we believe we are well within the scope of what is required in order to request such funds.  

!!!!!THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP!!!!!!

1. Sign this petition
2. SHOW UP TO THE USG MEETING WHERE THEY WILL BE VOTING ON THIS Wednesday, February 13th, at 7 pm in the MUB Alumni Lounge A 

USG BYLAWS (APPROVED 2018)

"Article VI – The Opportunities Fund Policy -

Section 1 – Statement of Purpose -

• The purpose of the Undergraduate Student Government Opportunities Fund is to provide funding for startup costs of new organizations, unpredicted student organization expenses, or new initiatives of student organizations that were not previously budgeted for"

As a student Organization TPUSA at MTU has

• Hosted Dr. Scott Atlas with a turnout of over 200 students and community members
• Hosted a Dunk tank event with over 150+ participants
• Participated in the 2023 Winter Carnival
• While also routinely meeting to discuss fun opportunities for students and discuss relevant topics.

This is all within the first year of being officially recognized by the school! Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way and we look forward to striving for free speech and fun activities for ALL STUDENTS in the future.

Sincerely,

Caleb Glenn 

President, TPUSA at MTU

Cmglenn@mtu.edu