CORTLAND, N.Y. (WHCU) – Some students at SUNY Cortland say they felt pressured by school officials in a recent decision.

The conservative group Turning Point USA was officially recognized as an on-campus club at a meeting earlier this month after a lawsuit was levied against the college. The Dragon Chronicle reports the Student Government Association effectively voted to give up its power to approve clubs after an executive session with legal counsel.

Student senators were not made aware of the proposed bylaw amendment before the meeting and were only permitted to ask a limited number of questions. Protocol for senate meetings dictates that amendment proposals are communicated to student senators before the meeting and listed on the agenda.

The vote to amend the bylaws passed with 40 in favor, 7 against, and 23 abstaining. Some senators claim they felt pressured into voting a certain way, with one saying it felt “like the only option.” All of the students who spoke with The Dragon Chronicle wished to remain anonymous.