The Facebook groups insist that they represent the interests of white students, but also appear to be offering a counterpoint to university organizations dedicated to minority issues.

Several of the pages introduced their objectives with identical language:

“We unapologetically provide a safe space for white students to air their true feelings about the future of our nation, discuss and reflect on the lessons laid down for us by our great European writers, philosophers, and artists, and develop a positive program to restore the pioneering will and greatness of our unique and virtuous people.”

Whether the Facebook groups were started by students at the universities or by an outside group seeking to stir up debate is unclear. The first one to gain attention, the “Illini White Student Union,” surfaced on Nov. 18, hours after a black student solidarity rally at the University of Illinois, according to The Daily Illini. The page was removed after university officials complained.

Image A screen grab from the Facebook group "Mizzou White Student Union." Credit... Facebook

In the days that followed, The Daily Stormer, a source of neo-Nazi commentary, and users of the 8chan message board discussed efforts to create similar groups at other universities they were not attending, according to several reports.