Following the death of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, universities like Loyola Marymount have seen an increase in right-wing student activity and Republican organizing.

At LMU, a predominantly liberal campus, conservative students say they’ve faced challenges finding political community. As a result, more students have gravitated toward groups like the College Republicans (CR) and Turning Point USA (TPUSA), which provide a space to speak openly about issues they might not feel safe discussing in class.

“We have seen a big increase in members. Even since last year, we have more members, and especially in the last few months,” said Jeremy Howe, president of CR and a close ally with LMU’s Turning Point USA chapter. Howe is one of several students working to create more space for conservative discussion on campus, but some students say those conversations are still limited once they step into the classroom.

Students expressed that professors’ political leanings influence classroom discussions, which they believe affects open dialogue for both CR and TPUSA members as well as other conservative students.

A student who asked to remain anonymous said, “They want us to think in a liberal way. They look down on us, whereas we’re not actively thinking of liberals as less than. It’s just a difference in opinion, and we’re not going to shame people.”

Howe shared a similar sentiment. “Sometimes people who work at the school are not as receptive to CR and TPUSA,” he said. “It seems like they respond slower to emails or are less likely to have a right-wing speaker on campus.”

He also noted that some College Republican members “say what the professor wants to hear” to avoid potential grade repercussions. This fear affects students’ willingness to speak out both in class and socially.

Conservative students often hesitate to express their beliefs due to fear of social or online backlash. “The political climate on campus stops people from coming to the meetings because if people know you are Republican, you might get socially ostracized, people won’t like you, and people are scared of being disliked, so they don’t want to come to the meetings,” said Howe.

That hesitation, he added, is reinforced by a few isolated incidents targeting conservative students. “I haven’t personally received death threats, but last year’s president did. People only send those if they see you as an evil or hateful person. We’re not hatemongers. We’re lovemongers.” 

Even for students who aren’t involved with groups like CR or TPUSA, the campus atmosphere can still feel tense. This fear often stretches beyond club meetings, affecting students’ day-to-day interactions and how openly they express their opinions.

“There are certain people I can think of that everybody knows like Trump, and everybody stays as far away from them as they can,” said the anonymous student. They added, “Nobody wants anything to do with you, no matter how extreme it is. I’ve resorted to keeping my mouth shut.”

The tension between LMU’s campus culture and its conservative students reflects a broader divide seen on college campuses nationwide. 

Howe pointed out one of the more extreme examples: “People have a misconception of us for sure. A lot of people on the left think we’re Nazi or Hitler lovers, which is ridiculous.” 

Examples like this highlight the need for dialogue across political lines, particularly on campuses where perspectives can feel sharply divided.

LMU emphasizes its core values as the foundation for open and honest debate. In that spirit, discussion from every viewpoint is not only permitted but essential to a campus that serves everyone, not just the majority. 

“We all have this problem; we’re all stuck in our own echo chambers,” Howe said. “You at least have to realize you’re in one, and that the other side also wants what’s good for the country. They just think what’s good is different from what you think is good. Nobody wants what’s bad for the country.”

Conservative students at LMU hope for a campus environment that encourages dialogue across differing opinions without fear of backlash. Initiatives by Howe and others aim to create a more inclusive space for all students, with clubs serving as just the first step. Their call for dialogue reflects a broader effort to promote political balance in higher education.