Faculty Adviser Quits, YWC Loses Official Status at Towson University
Nearly two weeks after members of the Towson University chapter of Youth for Western Civilization messages on university sidewalks that included the words 鈥渨hite pride,鈥� the group has lost its campus privileges.
The school鈥檚 official recognition of the YWC was pulled when the group鈥檚 faculty adviser informed chapter president Matthew Heimbach that he would no longer be associated with the group.
鈥淭hey were using rhetoric in their arguments that I found were not appropriate,鈥� said the adviser, communications professor Richard Vatz.
In a letter to Heimbach, Vatz cited recent comments by YWC leaders at a Unity Campus Forum several weeks ago that included what he called 鈥渇rightening rhetoric鈥� describing political opponents as 鈥渃ancer鈥� and 鈥渄isgusting degenerates.鈥�
鈥淭his is not how conservatives comport themselves,鈥� Vatz, himself a conservative, told Hatewatch.
YWC still can have a presence on campus, but it will not be recognized by the Student Government Association. That means it can no longer use campus facilities.
Vatz鈥檚 withdrawal is a blow to Heimbach, who has ties to the neo-confederate and worked hard to overcome resistance to the school鈥檚 聽official recognition of the group.
鈥淭hey found a loophole,鈥� said Heimbach, explaining the YWC chapter's ouster.
After the chalk messages, Heimbach admitted to that members were indeed responsible for the sidewalk markings. But, he said the group is 鈥渙nly promoting traditional conservative values and is not racist.鈥� He also told the Sun that he is advocating 鈥減ride in his culture,鈥� not 鈥渨hite power.鈥�
