Hello Russell Sage students, alumni, and wider community. 

We are urging the administration at Russell Sage College to rethink their approval of a Turning Point USA chapter at the college. The proposition was brought to a Student Government meeting on November 7th and the majority of student senate members voted against the club’s establishment. 

Despite this, the Sage administration has vetoed the student votes and is supporting the establishment of the Turning Point chapter at Russell Sage.

Political beliefs and values are a freedom of all students, however Turning Point USA is founded by, and is known to endorse figures who have incredibly strong and hateful beliefs that are shared very publicly. Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point has made claims publicly that “the civil rights act was a huge mistake” and that women are “the most depressed group in the history of the species” in response to an interview question regarding the civil rights and feminist movements. Kirk has also expressed that he believes gay people to be “an error”, comparing homosexuality to being addicted to alcohol or drugs. 

A large part of his message that is spread through Turning Point is that the modern college education in America is brainwashing students and providing them with a flawed one sided education. It is disappointing to see a college founded on women’s academic freedom and success allowing a student group that publicly denotes and demonizes women and other minorities.

It is made very clear in the Academic Freedom, Intellectual Curiosity, and Freedom of Expression handbook article that conflicting beliefs between members of the Sage community is a normal part of any institution, and that those with different beliefs should be treated with respect and dignity, however the ideas put forward by Turning Point raises the issue of student safety. There is nothing wrong with students with similar ideas conversing freely with each other and sharing ideas, but having a chapter of a strictly right wing political group on campus is not something that seems to align with the values of both Russell Sage College historically, and with students today.

Turning Point chapters have been denied at many colleges and universities because of the organization's use of hate speech, such as RPI, SUNY Cortland, SUNY Binghamton, Florida State University, Belmont College, Saint Mary’s College, and many more throughout the nation.

What I hope you take away from this is that students should be free to express their political beliefs with others, however, having Turning Point be a school sanctioned club despite senate members voting against it is an incredibly disappointing decision on behalf of the higher ups involved in student activities. 

As students, we are asking that the club cut ties with the nationally recognized (and criticized) Turning Point group and rename themselves as their own independent club with no association to the Turning Point Agenda.

We thank you for talking the time to read, sign, and share this petition.

- Students of Russell Sage College