On October 2nd, the SMCC Student Senate approved the creation of a chapter of the controversial organization Turning Point USA. The session was held in the Jewett Auditorium and was attended by both supporters and opponents of its creation. Turning Point USA, also known as TPUSA, is an organization founded by conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk in 2012.

The group has always had a controversial history. In 2016, the organization created a “professor watchlist” to compile a list of educators who were deemed to “discriminate against conservative students and promote leftist propaganda in the classroom.” It was also in the news more recently after the death of Charlie Kirk, its founder and leader since its inception.

After Kirk’s death, TPUSA issued a statement saying they would continue his mission of establishing chapters of TPUSA at every university and college across the United States. In an interview with News Center Maine, the founder of the SMCC chapter of TPUSA, Peter Bernaiche, said, “Students should never be silenced simply for what they believe.”

The Beacon contacted the dean of students, Dean Saucier, for a comment. His office told the Beacon that “As part of its role, the Student Senate receives and reviews petitions from students interested in forming new student clubs. The process requires that applications meet specific criteria, including having at least three students, a constitution aligned with the MCCS Code of Conduct and Student Government requirements, and a dedicated advisor.” 

Saucier continued, “It’s important to note that recognizing a student organization is a viewpoint-neutral process. Recognition does not constitute an endorsement of the group’s ideology but reflects compliance with the procedural requirements. However, recognition also comes with the responsibility to adhere to all rules and policies set forth by the Student Government and the Maine Community College System Code of Conduct.” 

The beacon has reached out for comment from students. One student who talked to the Beacon, 

Shelby Horning, who is in favor of TPUSA, told The Beacon, “ I am for Turning Point USA. I have censored my own views for better grades in some classes here at SMCC. I can understand if people are not, and they have the right not to be part of TPUSA”. They continued by saying, “It’s also important to understand how someone’s values and beliefs also reflect in their speeches, arguments, or even basic comments. Charlie Kirk was a faithful man who strongly believed in God and quoted the Bible often, but somehow, people forget that when it comes time to say whether they like him or not, because it’s all about cherry-picked clips. I could cherry-pick anything anyone else says just to make them look bad.”

Some students shared their opinions on TPUSA online on the MCCS app One student, McKenzie, posted, “After watching the student senate meeting, I am a bit disappointed to not have heard Peter’s response to the students who spoke up. I’m sure he probably said it while being interviewed with the news; however, I feel like it would’ve been important for him to make one last speech before ending the meeting. It’s important that TPUSA hears the responses from SMCC students. And it would’ve been crucial for TPUSA to make one last final statement.” 

The chapter plans to hold its first meeting on October 15th. This story is developing.