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Known for its conservative stance, the Youth for Western Civilization has unintentionally restored the free speech debate at UNC. The debate dates back to the 1960s, when N.C. legislators passed the Speaker Ban Law, prohibiting individuals to speak on campus who were Communist or who had used the fifth amendment to avoid self-incrimination.
Youth for Western Civilization is a national organization which seeks to create political activists through conferences, workshops and speakers. Its mission is to preserve Western culture, which members believe is being destroyed by modern society. Former Youth for Western Civiliation UNC chapter president Riley Matheson said he has always considered himself a Buchanonite.
In April, police used pepper spray to disperse crowds of protesters in Bingham Hall where former Congressman Tom Tancredo was scheduled to speak on immigration. Tancredo was unable to speak because of the protest. A group of student leaders convened April 16 in light of the protests to affirm free speech in a dialogue where then Student Body President Jasmin Jones and Matheson spoke.
Six people were arrested when Youth for Western Civilization hosted a second speaker, former U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode. Those six were later found to not have any ties to UNC.
Matheson has said his right-wing views stem from his traditional Roman Catholic faith and his support for former Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan. His views also place importance on Latin language and texts because of their links to early Western culture.
Correction (Dec 8. 11:00 p.m.): Due to a reporting error, an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Daryl Ann Dunigan’s role with UNC College Republicans. She was executive vice chairwoman in 2008-09. The story has been changed to reflect the correction. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the error.
The UNC chapter of Youth for Western Civilization has a new president after complaints to the national organization’s leadership that the group was becoming too liberal.
Under a new, more conservative leader, the group is looking to increase its presence and bring back controversial speakers that sparked disruptive protests and initially launched the group into the national spotlight.
Despite the presence of protesters and a general sense of nervous anticipation surrounding the event, conservative group Youth for Western Civilization managed Thursday to smoothly host its first lecture since protests disrupted talks last spring.
Five months after a campus protest gained national attention, student leaders sat down again for a public discussion on free speech.
The discussion — held in honor of the campuswide First Amendment Day celebration — largely focused on senior Haley Koch’s participation in a protest of U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo. His April 14 visit was hosted by Youth for Western Civilization.
Student group Youth for Western Civilization has been bolstered by three new faculty advisers only days after its previous adviser stepped down at Chancellor Holden Thorp’s request.
The three new advisers — two who took the job after being asked by Thorp — cement YWC’s place at UNC after months of questioning whether it could find a sponsor.
Youth for Western Civilization is once again fighting for its life against a deadline set by the University.
The conservative student group’s faculty adviser, Elliot Cramer, resigned Friday at the request of Chancellor Holden Thorp after he ended an e-mail correspondence related to YWC by joking about his gun marksmanship.
The faculty adviser for student group Youth for Western Civilization resigned Friday at the request of Chancellor Holden Thorp after joking in an e-mail that he had a gun and knew how to use it.
Story reprinted from June 18 issue of The Daily Tar Heel.
The fate of UNC’s chapter of Youth for Western Civilization is up in the air.
Chris Clemens, the astronomy professor who serves as the group’s faculty adviser, said he’s decided not to continue in the role next year.
Once Clemens is officially gone, YWC will have 30 days to find a new faculty adviser before they are no longer an official campus organization.
“I’m not willing to sponsor an affiliate of the national YWC,” Clemens said.
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