The University of San Diego (USD), a Catholic institution, is refusing to allow its conservative student organization to host Matt Walsh for a campus lecture this fall, claiming that the Daily Wire personality’s so-called “grossly offensive” common sense beliefs would create an “unsafe” environment for “different populations of people.”
Last semester, members of the USD College Republicans filed a request for funds from the student government that would allow them to cover expenses associated with the proposed lecture.
Members of the student government unanimously voted to deny the request in full.
“As a Catholic institution, I do think that it is one of the most important things that we hold our Catholic faith first and if he does not align with the values of the Catholic church then that is something we should consider regarding allocating funding,” Isabella Sevilla, a leftist student senator who helped bring a drag show to campus last semester, said in response to the conservative students’ presentation.
Senator Jacob Aragon cited baseless calls by leftist medical organizations for Walsh to be prosecuted by the Department of Justice as a consequence of speaking out against gender ideology as his rationale for voting against the lecture.
Another student government member’s ridiculous argument was that conservative free speech and expression should not be allowed on campus because that may lead to those on the Left being too uncomfortable to express themselves: “You say that you value freedom of expression, but do you really think people would feel comfortable to express themselves with someone who is known notoriously for that [What is a Woman?] movie and also for being the recipient of the Transphobe of Year 2022 Award?”
Undeterred by these discriminatory financial hurdles, the conservative students attempted to push the event through the university’s event approval process with a goal of raising funds independently.
However, leftist administrators wouldn’t have it.
USD College Republicans President Alyssa Jackson met with administrators to begin the approval process.
According to Jackson, Assistant Vice President for Student Life Byron Howlett refused to hear her argument that Walsh’s beliefs are in line with Catholic Social Teaching. Howlett told her that he doesn’t agree with the Catholic faith and that Walsh’s “grossly offensive” beliefs would not be tolerated.
“The university is in full support of freedom of expression and freedom of inquiry… that’s the basis of a university, he reportedly said.” “But it’s also a delicate balancing act because we have a duty to protect our community members as well. In that case, that usurps that freedom of inquiry and freedom of expression.”
Every semester, USD hosts a parade full of leftist speakers. Black Lives Matter Founder Patrisse Cullors, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Chelsea Clinton have all been allowed to address students, despite their beliefs that directly oppose many basic principles of the Catholic faith.
Jennifer Lee, director of student activities, said that Walsh would need to denounce his “transphobic” beliefs and “change his ways” before stepping foot on campus, which she doesn’t think will happen.
Despite admitting that she has never watched Walsh’s blockbuster documentary that allows the Left’s agenda to collapse on its own lack of merit, Lee declared that the film – and, by extension, Walsh – are “grossly offensive at an extreme level.”
“I feel as though conservatives and Catholics are discriminated against for simply holding onto their religious beliefs,” Jackson told the New Guard. “We hope that we can still bring Matt Walsh to voice conservative beliefs on campus, which are heavily underrepresented. We face discrimination from professors and peers everyday for our values and we believe that Matt would be a strong advocate for our cause.”
Young America’s Foundation is committed to ensuring that the University of San Diego stands by its proclaimed “freedom of expression” principles by allowing the event to move forward.
The New Guard attempted to reach USD and its administrators for comment, but did not hear back. This article will be updated accordingly.
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