By Mark Weyermuller -
While at Drake University back in the 1980's, I was a member of the College Republicans. We worked on campaigns, promoted conservative ideas, and even drove as volunteers in presidential motorcades. Today at my school located in Des Moines Iowa, the trend seems to be changing.
Mark Weyermuller (L) meeting with Governor Robert Ray in 1981 at Drake University
Last week at Drake, Turning Point USA was trying to start a local chapter. They were denied. Here is the story on Hypeline: "Drake University: Conservative views are hateful."
This group started by Charlie Kirk, a native of the Chicago area, has been working on campuses throughout the country promoting a conservative agenda. Another member, Matt Lamb has spearheaded this drive to open new college chapters.
Photos from Matt Lamb used by permission
Drake University has a large cross-section of other sanctioned groups and clubs according to their website:
- Anime Club
- BACCHUS (health and safety)
- Bass Fishing Club
- College Republicans
- Collegiate DECA (business/marketing/entrepreneurship)
- Dance Team
- Drake CONNECT (professional networking)
- Drake Democrats
- Drake Environmental Action League–DEAL
- Drake Improvisational Comedy Experiment
- Drake University International
- Travel–DUIT
- Gaming League
- Gung Fu Club
- Investment Club
- Mediation and Moot Court Team
- Mind Sports Organization
- Mock Trial
- ONE (international poverty and disease prevention)
- Outdoor Leadership Club
- Poker Club
- Quiz Bowl
- Respect for Life
- Running Club
- Sportsman’s Club
- Student Activities Board
- Student Athletic Advisory Council
- Students For Women’s Issues
- Students In Free Enterprise
- Tae Kwon Do
- To Write Love on Her Arms (treatment/prevention of depression, addiction, suicide)
- U.G.A.N.D.A. Youth
- Visual Arts Association of Drake
- West Village Community Council
- Writer’s Circle
- Young Americans for Liberty
They do allow the Liberty group along with the College Republicans and College Democrats. Women's issues and the environmental groups might be controversial to us conservatives. No offense to women, but their issues are often the same as mine. Is there a "men's issues" group?
I will give Drake credit for allowing the "Respect for Life" group advocating a pro-life agenda. I'm not so sure about the environmental groups, as they are often front groups for socialism, anti-coal and higher cost energy.
Just last week here in Chicago, conservatives at DePaul were under attack for writing political statements in chalk on campus. This was reported in Illinois Review.
I'm sure there will be more to follow. Conservatives are fighting hard to keep AMERICAN values alive and well especially on the college campus.
More information on Turning Point USA can be found here: http://turningpointusa.net
Weyermuller (c) meeting Vice Pres George Bush in 1982 as volunteer motorcade driver
A light sentence but not atypical for those who have had power and influence.
These kids really should contact the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) https://www.thefire.org/
Their lawyers have intervened successfully in collegiate violations of 1st Amendment rights. In ’05 they threatened to sue NEIU over their discrimination against the tiny College Republican chapter there – got national publicity that embarassed the school and got the school’s lawyers to sheepishly back down with their tails between their legs