Local & Community
Turning Point USA Club Re-Charter at College of the Desert Sparks Debate
A proposal to re-charter a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter at College of the Desert (COD) has stirred conversation on campus after a months-long approval struggle that began in November. The request was introduced by student organizer Jacob Blodgett, just weeks after the assassination of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk.
Blodgett, who now serves as president of the COD chapter, noted that Turning Point USA once had a presence on campus, but the original club dissolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. His push to revive it, however, immediately faced obstacles.
According to Blodgett, the proposal met every requirement outlined in COD’s official club-creation policies. These include:
A faculty advisor
A minimum of 10 student board members
Two representatives for the Inter-Club Council
Final approval from the Student Senate
Despite fulfilling these criteria, the Student Senate voted twice against approving the charter. With the body unable to reach a consensus, the matter was escalated to the Office of Student Life, which ultimately granted the club its approval.
The decision has raised concerns among some students, who argue that bypassing the Senate highlights weaknesses in the college’s governing process.
Although COD has granted the club permission to operate, one final step remains: Turning Point USA’s national organization must formally approve the chapter. That process could take time, as the organization reportedly has more than 62,000 pending chapter applications nationwide.
By: Alondra Campos
December 11, 2025
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