Just days before Virginians go to the polls, Washington and Lee University informed its College Republicans club it couldn't campaign for Glenn Youngkin.
After Kelsey Goodwin, student activities director, allegedly instructed Lillian Gillespie, club president, to remove Youngkin's campaign materials at September's annual activity fair, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education wrote to the university requesting that they allow Republicans to run for their preferred candidate. Youngkin campaign materials were reportedly removed by Lillian Gillespie because it could be tax-exempt.
Gillespie stated that I was shocked to learn that campaign materials could not be distributed on campus. I hope this story will give students from both sides more freedom and agency.
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FIRE had previously written a Sept. 23 letter asking Washington and Lee for their support of the students' freedom to speech. It pointed out that as long as the endorsement was from a college organization or an individual, it would not be violating its tax-exempt status.
W&L, although a private institution, is not subject to the First Amendment. However, FIRE stated that W&L must keep its promises regarding student expression.
Washington and Lee's spokesperson told the Washington Examiner that university guidance on campus political activity was "long-standing" and "is implemented in a fair and impartial way". This is to preserve the university's non-profit status.
The statement stated that W&L was a long-standing proponent of freedom and had adopted the Chicago Principles affirming freedom in December 2015. The university's interpretation in this case of the IRS Code applies to distribution of campaign materials on campus. However, it is not meant to infringe on individual student or employee expression."
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Gillespie met with several college officials, including Goodwin who stated that the university has never allowed student organizations to support political candidates.
Washington and Lees policies allow student political clubs to continue their academic activities. However, when they hold a political event, they must state that the event's purpose is educational and not endorse (or oppose) any candidate at the University.
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FIRE however maintained that the club was inherently political and should be allowed advocacy for partisan candidates.
Sabrina Conza, FIRE Program Analyst, asked: What's the point of College Republicans and College Democrats organizations if it can't advocate for a Republican/Democrat? Goodwin's assessment of the law is incorrect. The university is wrong to keep silent after censoring students who wish to participate in the political process. They must rectify it.
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Tags: News, Higher Education, Virginia, FIRE, Glenn Youngkin, Education, College Republicans, Campaigns, Freedom of Speech
Virginia Aabram is the original author
Original Location: Virginia University blocks College Republicans' campaign for Glenn Youngkin
