You may have seen a recent Fox News story presenting several claims about Vanguard University’s approach to political engagement, including its decision not to recognize a Turning Point USA chapter as a student club.
In this video, President Michael Beals, PhD, speaks directly to Vanguard’s community to clarify its policies that apply to all student organizations, the values that guide them, and the steps Vanguard has taken to support civil and respectful engagement across differences.
For context, since 2023 Vanguard has observed a pattern of requests for campus groups to affiliate with national political advocacy organizations, and Vanguard has consistently decided not to recognize any such groups on campus—regardless of their intention or approach. Please rest assured this stance is not new this year or in any way connected to any recent events, as evidenced by Vanguard’s campus-wide “Year of Civility” curriculum that was implemented throughout 2024 and continues now in the form of Vanguard’s “Courageous Conversations” events. However, Vanguard recognized the need to update and implement its student club policy this past spring and began informing student groups.
Vanguard believes political engagement matters, and Vanguard’s commitment is to form students who can think critically, listen carefully, and engage passionately about the most important issues of our day with dignity, respect, and humility.
Vanguard’s policy decisions flow from our mission to pursue knowledge, cultivate character, deepen faith and equip students for Christ-centered leadership and service.
Read Vanguard University’s statement on its Student Club Policy and Commitment to Civil Discourse.