MIAMI, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued a warning to Barry University School of Law over its alleged decision to deny students the opportunity to form a chapter of Turning Point USA (TPUSA).
In a recent statement on X, Uthmeier said: “This is wrong and could cause potential employers to question the quality of its graduates, and it may violate its obligations under Florida law.”
According to Uthmeier, students were informed by the Office of the Dean that TPUSA’s focus on “political advocacy and confrontation” did not align with the university’s educational philosophy.
He indicated that while the school claims to value discussions of diverse viewpoints, it appears to selectively limit those viewpoints by denying recognition to TPUSA, which promotes traditional religious values.
Uthmeier said that there is a double standard, as Barry Law recognizes OUTLaw, an LGBTQ student organization, which he argues engages in the type of activism that the administration criticized TPUSA for. He stated that the contrast raises concerns about potential viewpoint discrimination, which he said could undermine the university’s commitment to free expression, as outlined in its student handbook.
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According to Uthmeier, the handbook asserts that students have the right to freedom of expression and association, and they should be allowed to organize without being discriminated against based on their affiliations. Uthmeier argues that denying TPUSA the right to form a chapter likely violates these contractual student rights and could discourage open dialogue and diverse perspectives within the law school.
Uthmeier warned that blocking the formation of a TPUSA chapter could have serious implications for graduates, potentially leading employers to question the quality of education at Barry Law.