Boston University’s College Republicans on Thursday asked university leaders to provide increased security and to hold accountable students who promote violence after the fatal shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at a Utah campus event.
In a letter to BU President Melissa Gilliam, the student group said conservative students feel threatened and intimidated in ways that undermine campuses as a "marketplace of ideas." Philip Wohltorf, the group’s vice president and a legislative aide in the Massachusetts Senate, said the killing has left conservative students shaken and prompted requests for security at student meetings.
"Universities are supposed to be marketplaces of ideas. If speakers or conservatives now have to worry about being shot or facing violence, then this marketplace closes," Wohltorf said. He told Fox News Digital that members have seen social media posts on platforms such as Reddit and Yik Yak that celebrated Kirk’s death, calling those posts "disgusting." The group also said some students have expressed reluctance to publicize meeting times out of fear of becoming targets.
Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 10 during Turning Point USA’s "The America Comeback Tour," according to reports. The killing prompted security and free-speech concerns at campuses nationwide. Wohltorf said the BU chapter felt compelled to continue organizing and to preserve debate on campus, and that several new students signed up for the group’s mailing list in the 24 hours after the attack.
The letter to Gilliam, a copy of which was provided to news outlets, asks the university to provide "appropriate security" for upcoming College Republicans events and to hold accountable any students promoting violence in the wake of the shooting. The students also accused the university of fostering a culture in which conservative viewpoints are marginalized and where some students feel intimidated to express their views.
A BU spokesperson said the president plans to address the letter and reiterated the university’s commitment to civil discourse and safety. "We work hard to foster civil discourse among the BU community," the statement said. "We take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of our guests and the BU community. We’ll continue to do so with the assistance and coordination with appropriate local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. We condemn violence and our hearts go out to the Kirk family, his friends and supporters, and to every American."
Wohltorf cited broader concerns about ideological imbalance in higher education, pointing to a Harvard Crimson survey he said showed a small share of faculty identified as conservative in recent years. He urged colleges to hire more conservative professors and to encourage open debate between students of differing political views. He said he has sought debates with left-leaning student groups on campus but has been unable to secure events.
University chapters of conservative groups across the country have pressed administrations for greater security and clearer protocols for outside speakers in the wake of high-profile incidents. Administrations typically coordinate with local and federal law enforcement for events that draw large crowds or controversial figures. BU’s spokesperson said the university has hosted world leaders and controversial speakers in the past and takes necessary steps to ensure safety.
Campus leaders and student groups from across the ideological spectrum have reacted to the killing with calls for condemnation of violence and appeals to protect free expression. Wohltorf said his group will continue to hold meetings and attempt to keep its events open, while seeking assurances that members will be safe.
The university did not provide a timeline for responding to the College Republicans’ letter. Federal and local authorities continue investigations into the Utah shooting, and the killing has prompted discussions at multiple institutions about event security, social-media monitoring, and the balance between safety and open campus debate.