This article originally appeared in the Election print issue, in stands November 2024. It has not been updated and some information may be out of date.
Conservative student groups at universities are adjusting to a changing political environment, marked by increased polarization and evolving campus cultures, according to political science professors at the University of Utah.
Matthew Burbank, a political science professor at the University of Utah, has observed a decrease in the visibility and influence of conservative student organizations over his three decades of teaching. He attributes this shift to both national political trends and the rise of a more liberal campus culture.
“When I started teaching in 1994, students were generally more conservative,” he said. “Today, they tend to be more liberal, and conservative groups have become less prominent.”
Burbank said while groups such as College Republicans and Turning Point USA continue to exist on campus, their influence has lessened.
“Groups like College Republicans and College Democrats exist but don’t have the same impact as they once did,” Burbank said. “Purely conservative groups beyond those affiliated with specific political parties are rare.”
Burbank said one notable change within these groups is a shift toward more ideological positions. He pointed out that organizations like Turning Point USA, which align with Trump-era rhetoric, have gained visibility in recent years but often focus on specific issues such as political correctness or immigration.
“Turning Point USA offers visibility but doesn’t fully represent the broader conservative student base,” Burbank said. “Their focus on particular issues tends to alienate students who identify with conservatism but do not necessarily align with their more extreme stances.”
This shift towards more polarized positions is not exclusive to conservative groups. Burbank highlighted the rise of more left-wing organizations, like Mecha de U of U, as part of a larger trend toward political polarization in academic spaces.
“On the conservative side, groups like Turning Point USA are among the more visible entities,” Burbank said, acknowledging that conservative and progressive student groups are navigating the challenges of defining their identity amid growing political polarization.
Professor Josh McCrain, who joined the U’s political science department in 2021, has observed similar trends in the changing campus political landscape. McCrain pointed to growing skepticism among Republican lawmakers toward universities, particularly in Utah, where state legislators have proposed significant cuts to public university budgets.
“In Utah, Republican legislators are pushing for cuts to public universities, which could limit resources for conservative groups,” McCrain said.
McCrain also expressed concern about the impact of organizations like Turning Point USA on political discourse. He said their emphasis on sensationalism and media-driven controversy detracts from more substantive political engagement.
“The focus on sensationalism harms the broader conservative movement,” McCrain said. “These groups often take things out of context and target faculty they perceive as too liberal, which detracts from genuine efforts to promote conservative ideas.”
Social media also plays a key role in shaping the public’s perception of conservative student groups.
While platforms like Instagram and X help connect conservative students, they can also contribute to misunderstandings and misrepresentations of campus discussions, McCrain said.
“It’s not harmful, but right-wing media often blows university discussions out of proportion,” he said. “As professors, our goal is critical thinking, not political bias. While bias does exist, it’s rare and not the primary focus of most faculty.”
Both professors acknowledged the significant impact of president Donald Trump on conservative student organizations, particularly in how his leadership has shaped the identities of young conservatives. Burbank said Trump’s strong-leader persona resonates with many, particularly during times of political uncertainty.
“Trump reshaped the Republican Party, but his style doesn’t align with traditional conservative values,” Burbank said. “His influence on campus groups may not have the staying power of previous figures like Ronald Reagan.”
McCrain agreed, adding that Trump’s time in office contributed to the intensification of political divides, making it increasingly difficult to find common ground in political discourse.
“I always stress the importance of distinguishing between opinion and fact in my teaching. Unfortunately, the Trump administration blurred these lines, making it harder to agree on what’s true,” McCrain said. “Conservative students on campus who are serious and are eager to discuss policy, however, appreciate this distinction.”
Both professors expected a temporary increase in student political engagement during the election. However, they are uncertain whether this spike in activity will be sustained beyond the election cycle.
Burbank said while political engagement often surges during election years, the true value of campus groups lies in their ability to provide a platform for students to explore and refine their political beliefs beyond the electoral context.
“Campus groups provide a space for students to discuss and develop their ideas, which is more important than the immediate political battles we see during election years,” Burbank said.
