Retired Professor Calls Conservative Students "Nazis" Following Campus TPUSA Approval

A retired professor at Fort Lewis College, David Kozak, was recently captured on video calling supporters of a newly approved Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter "Nazis" and "fascists." The incident occurred after the college's student government reversed an earlier decision to block the conservative student organization, drawing attention to ongoing debates about academic bias and free speech on university campuses.

The Post Millennial, a conservative news outlet, highlighted the broader issue, quoting commentator Jack Posobiec on what he terms "professor privilege." According to the tweet, Posobiec stated, "It leads to violence and death," referring to aging scholars who allegedly try to convince students that conservatives are "Nazis." This sentiment echoes concerns raised by conservative figures regarding the political climate in higher education.

The confrontation involving Professor Kozak took place on November 7, following the Associated Students of Fort Lewis College's vote to approve the TPUSA chapter. Kozak, a former anthropology professor who retired in 2022, was filmed yelling "Go on, fascists. Go on, Nazi lovers," and using other derogatory terms towards the students. Fort Lewis College has since affirmed its commitment to academic excellence, free expression, and civil discourse, noting Kozak is no longer employed by the institution.

The approval of the TPUSA chapter at Fort Lewis College was contentious, initially facing rejection and a petition signed by over 400 community members who argued the organization "has engaged in actions that directly harm our community." A counter-petition supporting TPUSA garnered over 1,000 signatures, emphasizing the divide on campus regarding conservative student groups. This incident underscores a broader national conversation where some educators have faced repercussions for controversial statements regarding conservative figures. For instance, following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, several educators were fired for social media posts, including one who reportedly posted "1 Nazi down."

This event at Fort Lewis College contributes to ongoing discussions about political discourse within academic settings, free speech limitations, and the perceived marginalization of conservative viewpoints on college campuses. The claims of "professor privilege" and its alleged link to violence highlight the heightened tensions in these debates.