View source for College Republicans

{{Short description|American political organization for university students}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{cleanup rewrite|date=October 2021}}
'''College Republicans''' is an umbrella term that describes college and university students who support the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] of the United States. The [[College Republican National Committee]] (CRNC) is the oldest campus-based organization for Republican students and was founded in 1892. It currently represents 250,000 students on over 2,000 campuses.<ref>{{Cite web |title="About" |website=College Republican National Committee |url=https://www.crnc.org/about}}</ref> The Republican Party is not affiliated with any college groups, although Republican Party members often benefit from college students' campaign efforts on their behalf.<ref name="Kate Wood 2013">Amy Binder and Kate Wood. 2013. ''Becoming Right:'' ''How Campuses Shape Young Conservatives.'' Princeton University Press.</ref> Campus chapters may function independently, may be part of a statewide organization, or may be affiliated with a national alliance such as CRNC. The various campus-based Republican clubs function as recruitment organizations for the Republican Party and have produced many prominent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] and [[american conservatism|conservative]] activists.<ref name="briefhistory">{{cite web|last=Stewart|first=Scott|date=June 24, 2002|title=The College Republicans – A Brief History|url=http://www.crnc.org/admin/editpage/downloads/CRNChistory.pdf|publisher=[[College Republican National Committee]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050702072121/http://www.crnc.org/admin/editpage/downloads/CRNChistory.pdf|archive-date=July 2, 2005|access-date=September 4, 2008}}</ref><ref>Shepherd, Lauren Lassabe. 2023. ''Resistance from the Right: Conservatives and the Campus Wars in Modern America''. [[University of North Carolina Press]].</ref><ref name="Kate Wood 2013"/>

==Notable organizations==

Notable national college Republican organizations include:

* [[College Republican National Committee (CRNC)]]
* National Federation of College Republicans
* [[College Republicans of America]] 
* College Republicans United

==Governance of national organizations==

===College Republican National Committee (CRNC)===
The [[College Republican National Committee]] (CRNC), has historically been the main national College Republicans organization. Founded in 1892, it remains the largest and most active College Republicans organization with over 250,000 members on 2,000 campuses across the United States. The [[CRNC National Chairman|CRNC National Chairwoman]] and the national leadership team, including an executive director, political director, finance director, comptroller, national field director, treasurer, national secretary, and 4 regional vice-chairs, are elected at the bi-annual College Republican Convention. The current [[CRNC National Chairman|CRNC National Chairwoman]] is Courtney Britt.

In recent years, the CRNC has lost many of its state affiliates and chapters.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Following RNC Chairman [[Michael Whatley]]'s dissolution of the RNC "Youth Advisory Board," the CRNC lost its 132-year long endorsement by the RNC.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

=== College Republicans United (CRU) ===
The College Republicans United (CRU) was established in 2018 to oppose what was seen as a CRNC that was hostile to President [[Donald Trump]]. It consists of various college chapters in Arizona and Iowa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Republicans United |url=https://republicansunited.org/ |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=Republicans United |language=en-US}}</ref> The leadership structure and bylaws of the organization are not made public. The CRU have been criticized for chapters which allegedly posted "anti-Semitic" and "racist" postings online,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Conservative group at ASU apologizes for racist, anti-Semitic postings online |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2019/03/25/college-republicans-united-arizona-state-university-apology-racist-materials/3271365002/ |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=[[The Arizona Republic]] |language=en-US}}</ref> causing rifts between the CRU and other CR organizations and donors, and has been described as "[[far-right]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.azmirror.com/2023/07/10/county-gop-parties-say-they-never-agreed-to-support-college-event-featuring-a-white-nationalist/|date=10 July 2023|title=County GOP parties say they never agreed to support college event featuring a white nationalist|work=AZ Mirror}}</ref> The CRU drew further outrage after inviting [[Nick Fuentes]], a noted "white nationalist," to their National Convention event.<ref>{{Cite web|author=College Republicans United|date=July 7, 2023 |title= Exciting News! We're thrilled to announce that Nick Fuentes will be joining us at the College Republicans United State/National Convention in Prescott Arizona July 30th! |url=https://twitter.com/National_RU/status/1677512091853557760?s=20 |access-date=20 August 2023 |website=[[Twitter]] |language=en}} {{better source needed|date=March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 July 2023 |title=County GOP parties say they never agreed to support college event featuring a white nationalist |url=https://azmirror.com/2023/07/10/county-gop-parties-say-they-never-agreed-to-support-college-event-featuring-a-white-nationalist/ |access-date=1 February 2025 |website=AZ Mirror |language=en-US}}</ref> The group previously invited another white nationalist, [[Jared Taylor]], to speak at a campus event.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jerod |last=MacDonald-Evoy |work=AZ Mirror|url=https://www.azmirror.com/2023/10/09/asu-paid-11k-in-security-costs-for-a-white-nationalist-who-spoke-on-campus-in-2022/|date=9 October 2023|title=ASU paid $11k in security costs for a white nationalist who spoke on campus in 2022}}</ref> On January 31, 2025, CRU set up a table at Arizona State University's Tempe campus, "to urge students to report their peers for deportation to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hundreds protest group that encouraged ASU students to report undocumented classmates |url=https://www.kjzz.org/politics/2025-01-31/hundreds-protest-group-that-encouraged-asu-students-to-report-undocumented-classmates | date=31 January 2025 |access-date=1 February 2025 |website=KJZZ Phoenix |language=en-US}}</ref> The CRU is currently the smallest federation by state and chapter count, containing 5 collegiate chapters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Join College Republicans United |url=https://republicansunited.org/join/ |access-date=20 August 2023 |website=Republicans United |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== National Federation of College Republicans (NFCR) ===
The National Federation of College Republicans was created in 2022 in response to controversies arising in the [[College Republican National Committee|CRNC]].<ref>"About the NFCR"</ref> The NFCR claims to encompass 22 state federations (including but not limited to Georgia, and Maryland).<ref>{{Cite web |title=State Charters |url=https://www.nationalfcr.com/charters |access-date=1 September 2023 |website=NFCR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=State Charters |url=https://www.nationalfcr.com/charters |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=NFCR |language=en}}</ref> The NFCR Leadership positions consist of a Chairperson, a National Vice Chairperson, an executive director, a treasurer, a secretary, and a Parliamentarian.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leadership |url=https://www.nationalfcr.com/leadership |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=NFCR |language=en}}</ref> Rachel Howard is the current National Chairwoman of the NFCR.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

=== College Republicans of America (CRA) ===
The College Republicans of America (CRA) was established in 2023 and encompasses sixteen federations (Arizona, [[California College Republicans|California]], Kansas, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, [[New York Federation of College Republicans|New York]], Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Missouri, Utah, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin); a plurality of clubs in Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and West Virginia; and a few clubs in several additional states.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapters |url=https://www.uscollegegop.com/chapters |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=US College GOP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=College Republicans of America |date=September 1, 2023 |title=The Arizona College Republicans have voted to charter with College Republicans of America |url=https://twitter.com/uscollegegop/status/1697709142314803201 |access-date=1 September 2023 |website=X |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=College Republicans of America |date=August 24, 2023 |title=College Republicans of America is pleased to announce that the Tennessee College Republicans and their chapters have officially left the CNRC and joined CRA's ranks. |url=https://twitter.com/uscollegegop/status/1694802087572611377?s=20 |access-date=1 September 2023 |website=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en}}</ref> The CRA has over 200 active, affiliated College Republicans chapters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapters |url=https://www.uscollegegop.com/chapters |access-date=15 October 2024 |website=US College GOP}}</ref> Some notable chapters are the [[Penn State College Republicans]], for the Pennsylvania Collegiate Leadership Conference and sizable deployments, and the Harvard Republican Club, for history and influence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Penn State College Republicans |url=https://sites.psu.edu/psucollegerepublicans/conference/digital-program/ |access-date=3 March 2025 |website=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DBv48mjuhtW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== |access-date=3 March 2025|website=Instagram}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=X.com |url=https://x.com/PennStateGOP/status/1846266780701900870 |access-date=March 3, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2021 |title=Statements |url=https://harvardrepublicanclub.org/statements/ |access-date=3 March 2025 |website=Harvard Republican Club |language=en}}</ref>

According to the CRA website, its members broke away from the CRNC due to it falling "into disrepair."<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us: The Mission and History of CRA |url=https://www.uscollegegop.com/about |website=US College GOP|access-date=5 April 2025}}</ref> The CRA President and the national committee consist of an appointed president, appointed vice-presidents, appointed directors, and annually elected regional representatives.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Bylaws |url=https://www.uscollegegop.com/bylaws |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=}}</ref> The CRA also has a Board of Governors which consist of one National Committeeman per state, elected or appointed by that state (so long as they are "in good standing") via however the state sees fit.<ref name=":0" /> The acting CRA President is Gabriel Guidarini.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Some unfortunate news. After talking to my doctors and members of our board, I’ve decided to temporarily step away from running @uscollegegop. |url=https://x.com/realwilldonahue/status/1841626165796352349 |access-date=October 2, 2024 |website=[[Twitter]]}}</ref>

The CRA endorsed [[Donald Trump]] for president during the [[2024 United States presidential election]] and campaigned for him during the [[2024 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses]].<ref>{{cite web |date=January 17, 2023 |title=CRA Honors Trump Endorsement, Floods Iowa With Volunteers and Assists Trump Victory |url=https://www.uscollegegop.com/news/cra-honors-trump-endorsement-floods-iowa-with-volunteers-and-assists-trump-victory |work=College Republicans of America}}</ref> Then-CRA President, Gabriel Guidarini, delivered the pledge of allegiance at the [[2024 Republican National Convention]].<ref>{{cite news|work=USA Today|quote=Gabe Guidarini, College Republicans of America recites the Pledge of Allegiance during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum|date=July 18, 2024|url=https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/politics/2024/07/18/scenes-from-day-4-of-the-2024-republican-national-convention-in-milwaukee/74456925007/|title=Best scenes from Day 4 of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee}}</ref>

The group has ties to [[Turning Point Action]] (TPA), with the COO of TPA serving on the CRA's advisory board.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 November 2023 |title=CRA President Will Donahue meets with Tyler Bowyer and TP Action in Arizona |url=https://www.uscollegegop.com/news/cra-president-will-donahue-meets-with-tyler-bowyer-and-tp-action-in-arizona |work=College Republicans of America}}</ref>

== Governance of state organizations ==

===State federations===
There are upwards of 40 College Republican state federations. Each federation administers the College Republican activities at the [[U.S. state|state level]]. The state federation leadership team, which includes a state [[Chair (official)|chairperson]] and other officers, serve as the primary link between local university chapters and the national federation. The state chairman serves as the representative for College Republicans when dealing with the [[Republican Party (United States)#State and territorial parties|state Republican Party]], [[Local news|local media]], and [[Political divisions of the United States|governmental entities]]. State federations are responsible for organizing and assisting local chapters with securing proper credentials, recruitment efforts, and campus voter [[Canvassing|canvasses]].<ref name="chaptermanual">{{cite web  | first =Scott|last=Stewart| author-link =Scott G. Stewart|title=College Republicans Chapter Manual|publisher = [[College Republican National Committee]]| date =Fall 2002| url = http://www.crnc.org/resources/chapter_manual.pdf| access-date = September 27, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040613020411/http://www.crnc.org/resources/chapter_manual.pdf| archive-date = June 13, 2004}}</ref> It is a state federation's responsibility to organize and implement activities for statewide campaigns.<ref name="chaptermanual" /> Like the national organization, state federations operate as [[Non-profit organization|non-profit associations]] that are not legally affiliated with the Republican Party.<ref name="chaptermanual" />

===Campus chapters===
The college and university-based chapters of College Republicans operate in a dual capacity as [[Student society|student clubs]] associated with a particular campus and as members of their state federation.<ref name="chaptermanual" /> Like the state federations and national committees, the campus chapters are affiliated with their local Republican Party, but are not official arms of that organization.<ref name="chaptermanual" /> The chapter chairperson and leadership team are responsible for maintaining the campus club's credentials and constitution, and representing the College Republicans when dealing with [[Academic administration|university administration]], other student groups, and in the surrounding community.<ref name="chaptermanual" /> The campus chapter leadership team might include many members, with administrative responsibilities delegated to [[dormitory]] and [[Fraternities and sororities|Greek chapter]] chairpersons.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

==Activities==
{{More citations needed section|date=October 2017}}
[[File:College Republicans at OSU.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Recruiting new members at [[Ohio State University]]]]
During election season, campus chapters are responsible for organizing and implementing the campus [[Canvassing|canvas]], running [[mock election]]s, managing the local [[Get out the vote|get-out-the-vote]] efforts. At other times, the campus chapters will organize [[Advocacy|issue advocacy]] and [[lobbying]] efforts, welcome [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]] guest speakers to campus, and organize social events and other recruitment activities.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vigdor |first=Neil |date=2025-02-19 |title=N.Y.U. College Republicans President Resigns After Remarks About Barron Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/us/barron-trump-nyu-college-republicans.html |access-date=2025-06-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Unifying the party: College Republicans at ASU hosts first chapter meeting of the semester - The Arizona State Press |url=https://www.statepress.com/article/2024/09/politics-college-republican-event-66f4d3870d456 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=www.statepress.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-03 |title=She wants to start a College Republicans chapter at an HBCU — but can’t find an adviser |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/college-republicans-hbcu-florida-am-university-rcna171654 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>

Generally, the hired field representative or chapter chair begins the school year with membership tables on campus for recruitment. Members use door-to-door canvassing and [[word of mouth]] to identify and [[Voter registration|register]] as many Republican voters among the student body as possible.<ref name="briefhistory" /> These individuals are encouraged to vote through an [[absentee ballot]] and assist the candidates with election day [[Get Out The Vote]] efforts. Chapters occasionally run student mock elections and other special events as a means to gain [[Earned media|positive earned media attention]] for a candidate.<ref name="briefhistory" />

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:College Republicans at George Fox.jpg|A campus chapter meeting at [[George Fox University]]
Image:North Florida College Republicans for McCain.jpg|College Republicans from [[University of North Florida]] rally for [[John McCain]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: Image:Tony Snow with UIS College Republicans.jpg|College Republicans from [[University of Illinois at Springfield]] with former [[White House Press Secretary]] [[Tony Snow]] at [[Conservative Political Action Conference|CPAC 2008]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] -->
</gallery>

==See also==
{{portal|conservatism}}
* [[College Republican National Committee (CRNC)]]
*[[List of Chairpersons of the College Republicans]]
* [[Republican National Committee]]
* [[Young Republicans]]
* [[Teenage Republicans]]
* [[Turning Point USA]]
* [[College Democrats of America]]
* [[College Democrats]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{URL|http://www.crnc.org/| College Republican National Committee}}

{{Republican Party (United States)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:College Republicans}}
[[Category:College Republicans]]
[[Category:Republican Party (United States) organizations]]
[[Category:Student organizations established in 1892]]
[[Category:527 organizations]]
[[Category:Conservative organizations in the United States]]
[[Category:Student wings of political parties in the United States]]
[[Category:Youth politics in the United States]]
[[Category:Youth wings of political parties in the United States]]