University of San Diego: Administrators Reject College Republicans’ Request to Host Matt Walsh Because Students May Take Offense

In July and August 2023, University of San Diego administrators rejected the College Republicans’ request to bring political commentator Matt Walsh to campus because they believed he would make students feel “unsafe,” “not comfortable,” and “offended and hurt.” Administrators also claimed Walsh is “transphobic” and “offensive.” On September 6, FIRE wrote USD to explain that its free speech policies afford students the right to host controversial speakers, even if such speakers offend others. We called on USD to allow the group to host Walsh.

In its response, USD claimed the College Republicans never requested to reserve an event venue and were only denied funding by the student government. On October 19, FIRE countered that the student group had, in fact, made multiple requests for event space, and that the student government’s viewpoint-based rejection of funding contravened the university’s free speech promises. USD did not respond to our most recent letter.