Texas A&M ‘Students for Trump’ president called into conduct meeting for placing Trump signs on public property

Colleges and universities across the country have long hailed themselves as sanctuaries for free speech and expression. 

But, in recent times, these liberties are mainly available to students with certain beliefs; some students – specifically conservatives – are experiencing increased censorship at the hands of university officials. 

And it’s happening at Texas A&M University. 

The president of Students for Trump at Texas A&M received a letter from the Student Conduct Office requesting a meeting after he and other club members placed Trump signs on “public property,” according to Campus Reform.

If he does not attend the meeting, he could face student conduct charges. 

On November 2, Okeke and four other Students for Trump members placed “Trump 2020 Keep America Great” signs around campus until officers with the University Police Department approached them and told them to remove the signs “due to ground damage.” 

But after speaking with their supervisor, the officers gave the students “full permission to continue placing signs.” 

“This is when a university police officer took down my number in order to later provide me with all the rules of placing signs on campus,” Okeke said. “One month later, the Texas A&M administration decided to email me regarding ‘placing signs on public property,’” he continued. 

The letter came from Student Code of Conduct Office Assistant Coordinator Jessica Welsch after information was “forwarded” to her office about “placing signs on public property on or about November 2, 2020.” 

“In response to this information, I would like to meet with you to discuss the circumstances surrounding this incident, your perspective, and how you can be successful as a student at Texas A&M University,” the letter read. 

Okeke is “required” to respond to the office by phone before January 22, 2021 to schedule the meeting, or an “administrative hold [may be] placed on [his registration].” 

And, if he does not attend the meeting, there is a “possibility of Student Conduct Code charges being brought against [him].” 

Dean of Student Life at the university Anne Reber told Campus Reform that the meeting would give Okeke a chance to “share his perspective.” 

“Generally speaking, there are times when University officials will reach out to students in order to engage in educational conversations that are not punitive in nature,” she said. “These conversations are designed to give students the opportunity to share their perspective on a reported incident, as well as assist them in understanding their rights and their responsibilities in order to best meet their goals.” 

“When these meetings are scheduled, it is common to use a template form letter, which in this case, may have been the incorrect form letter to use,” she added. “I have my staff following up on that issue.” 

Okeke said that the letter doesn’t sound like an opportunity to share his perspective. “[The letter] doesn’t sound like reasonable and rational people that simply wish to ‘talk,’” he said. “I believe this email was sent in order to intimidate and discourage any student who wished to express their right-leaning political ideology through the use of signage on campus,” he added. “It was clear, given the nature of the email, Texas A&M was not looking to sit and have a civil conversation about the matter but rather to ensure I was to never place any signs again.” 

While the university has since contacted Okeke explaining that they wanted to simply talk about the incident, the Trump signs have been removed while signs – including Black Lives Matter and gay pride – still remain on display. 

In a time of increased political polarization, it is critical that universities allow – and encourage – the free flow of all ideas, and give students the opportunity to form their own beliefs.