Three agree to advise YWC, saving group

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.

Friday’s resignation of previous adviser and retired psychology professor Elliot Cramer left the group with 30 days to find a new one before losing its official group status.

Former sponsor Chris Clemens, an astronomy professor, and Jon Curtis, director of student groups and organizations, will replace him after being asked by Thorp.

Physics professor Hugon Karwowski volunteered as the third faculty adviser. Karwowski was moved to action — and Clemens said outrage — after Cramer resigned at Thorp’s request.

Cramer responded to brochures Friday protesting YWC that included his home address by joking in an e-mail to Thorp and two students that he had a gun and knows how to use it. Thorp called Cramer’s gun comments “highly inappropriate” and asked him to step down.

The three new advisers will provide counsel to a group of about 10 current student members.

Despite its small size, the organization gained national attention and created a local shouting match about free speech in April when students protested two anti-illegal immigration speakers on campus.

Once he learned of Cramer’s resignation, chapter president Nikhil Patel approached Clemens with the prospect of rejoining.

Clemens suggested a group of faculty to Thorp as the answer to YWC’s turnover problems. Clemens stepped down from the position in June, citing not enough time to deal with the scrutiny focused on the national organization.

“I’m only willing to do it because there are other people who can take some of the load,” Clemens said.

He and Curtis both said they weren’t nervous about the local attention YWC had garnered.

“I think those brochures and the more outrageous protests do not reflect the value of Carolina students in general,” Clemens said.

Protesters and their supporters have called for the abolishment of the YWC, calling it a racist and white supremacist group.

“It doesn’t matter what a group’s about, as long as they function within the policies of the University,” said Curtis, who oversees all University organizations.

He added that he can’t remember any other group to have such quick adviser turnover or three positions at once.

Last week, Thorp said the University would be better prepared for the next time people protest YWC events.

Senior Haley Koch, who was arrested for protesting a YWC speech in April but had the case dismissed, responded by saying protestors would find more creative approaches to voicing their dissent.


Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.