Republican students at Washington & Lee University in Virginia have been banned from displaying campaign material in support of GOP gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin, claiming lobbying for a politician violates the private university's policy and threatens its tax-exempt status.
During an annual activities fair at the liberal arts school in Lexington on September 12, College Republicans President Lillian Gillespie displayed campaign materials at the club's booth in support of Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin in time for the November 2 elections, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education reported.
But soon after, members of the club were told by Director of Student Activities Kelsey Goodwin that their display violated the private university's policy and that they had to remove all materials endorsing political candidates.
The College Republicans were trying to drum up support for Youngkin, who was trailing Democrat Terry McAuliffe in August 47 percent to 42 percent but now the race is now tied at 46 percent, according to the latest poll by the Monmouth University Polling Institute.
College Republicans President Lillian Gillespie (pictured) has argued that students should be able to advocate for a candidate
The College Republicans were backing Virginia gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin, who is now tied with opponent Terry McAuliffe
The school had told the Republican students they couldn't post the flyers because the private university is a tax-exempt organization that could not endorse political figures.
But Sabrina Conza of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a students' rights organization, said Gillespie was not breaking any rules and wants the university to rectify the situation.
'What is the purpose of College Republicans or College Democrats organizations if they can't actually advocate for a Republican or a Democrat?' said Conza, who is a program analyst for FIRE. 'Goodwin is wrong in her assessment of the law, and the university is wrong to remain silent after censoring students who want to take part in the political process. Now they must make it right.'
Students were told by Director of Student Activities Kelsey Goodwin (pictured)
