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Hundreds of students and faculty members at Iowa State University have signed an open letter to administrators calling for disciplinary action against the campus College Republicans for a tweet telling others to “arm up.”
On Nov. 7 the College Republicans tweeted, “Everyone, you must arm up, expect these people to attempt to destroy your life, the elites want revenge on us.”
According to KCCI News, the Iowa Federation of College Republicans de-federated the ISU organization last week, for "inflammatory tweets, inappropriate behavior, and a disregard for fellow citizens."
Letter signers took issue with the administration’s failure to discipline the group.
“Privileging the free speech of those causing harm over the safety of the historically marginalized members of our community furthers the damage and sends the message that the Iowa State University community does not value their presence, despite numerous condemnations in recent months of this exact kind of behavior,” the letter said.
Signatories demanded disciplinary action for the group, including removal of university recognition for the organization until the last current member has graduated, as well as the issuance of a charge to the provost to increase the university’s U.S. diversity requirement.
The letter also asks for an amendment to the Student Code of Conduct, “addressing how the institution responds to speech by students and student organizations that promote hate, directly or indirectly threaten the physical safety and free movement of members of the campus community, potentially incite violence, or violates the Principles of Community.”
A university spokesperson told KCCI News that the administration has received the letter and is reviewing it.
