4424 Gaines Ranch Loop #2210

Austin, TX 78735

May 11, 2019

Acting President Marta Meana,

Dr. Juanita Fain, Sunny Gittens,
Marni Dow, Jocelyn Bravo,
Savannah Baltera, CSUN Student Government
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 South Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154

Dear Fellow Rebels,

As finals are about to begin, and another academic year comes to a close, this should be a time for celebration on campus.
Instead, the recent and widely-publicized events involving the UNLV chapter of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) have
consumed the campus, local and national media, social media, and political discussions across the country. With the
release this week of a video featuring former incoming chapter president Riley Grisar and two others engaging in overt
and unmistakably racist speech, it is clear that the UNLV Community must take action to revoke the student organization
privileges of Turning Point USA.

As the former UNLV chapter president and five-term national board member of the College Republicans, I am no stranger
to conflict on campus. Instead of focusing on divisive issues, and stirring up hate and violence on campus, our chapter
chose issues that united students and saw its membership grow to one of the largest in the nation precisely because we
supported UNLV’s vision for an environment that encourages reasoned discourse and the rights of all individuals. As a
former CSUN Senator and two-term Student Body President, I understand all too well the role student organizations must
play in creating the campus community that many have felt lacking over the years at UNLV, and to do so in a way that
encourages student involvement in a positive manner. As a member of the LGBT community, I recognize the need for all
students, regardless of their differences, to feel welcome and safe on campus, and free to engage in activities – social,
political, religious, or otherwise – that represent their views and values without the fear of being targeted simply because
of who they are.

UNLV is a public and open campus, and anyone has the right to make their voice heard on campus – students and non-
students alike. Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), by UNLV’s definition, exist to help support the university’s
goal of creating and maintaining an inclusive and just community free from discrimination. RSO status grants student
organizations access to university resources, facilities, services, and staff – paid for by the university and/or student fees.
These benefits are reserved for those student organizations who act in accordance with UNLV’s Student Conduct Code.
TPUSA is a national organization that thrives on conflict and divisiveness, creates an environment of exclusivity, and, at a
time when our society is already politically polarized, appeals to the worst of our nature.

For these reasons, and due to recent events, TPUSA has met the qualification for organizational misconduct under
UNLV’s Student Conduct Code and I ask that UNLV, Student Involvement & Activities (SIA), and/or CSUN Student
Government send a clear message to the campus community and revoke this chapter’s RSO status.

Sincerely,

Mark Ciavola
CSUN Student Body President 2012-14