The Boston College Office of Student Involvement (OSI)—which oversees student organizations on campus—has launched an investigation into the Boston College Republicans for hosting an unapproved speaker event that drew backlash within the University community.
“The speaker event hosted by the BC College Republicans on Monday, 10/20, was not approved by the Office of Student Involvement,” Kyle Neary, associate director of organizations and programs in the OSI, wrote in a statement to The Heights. “The University is aware of concerns raised regarding the event and is investigating the matter further to determine if any violations of the Student Code of Conduct or University Speaker Policy occurred.”
On Monday night, the BC Republicans hosted Nick Solheim, CEO of the conservative organization American Moment, for a talk, during which he made several politically inflammatory remarks.
In response, several student organizations, including College Democrats of Boston College, issued public condemnations of both the event and Solheim’s rhetoric.
“We recognize and encourage difficult conversations and productive discourse, but Solheim’s rhetoric employs fear-mongering techniques and places marginalized individuals on campus at risk,” The Gavel, a progressive student newspaper, wrote in a statement. “Statements such as ‘they will kill you and everyone you love to get what they want’ have no place anywhere, let alone on a college campus.”
According to the University speaker policy, all registered student organizations must consult with OSI before inviting a guest speaker to campus.
“Before any invitation to a potential speaker or guest to campus, student leaders must consult with their assigned representative in the Office of Student Involvement or the Bowman Center,” the policy reads.
If found responsible for policy violations, the group could face sanctions ranging from a general warning to probation, loss of privileges, or disbandment, according to the Student Code of Conduct.
BC Republicans did not immediately respond for comment.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Lydia • Oct 23, 2025 at 8:04 pm
Great reporting by BC Heights. This is what good journalism looks like
Matthias Osadcii • Oct 23, 2025 at 7:53 pm
Solid article !! Personally, I find this kind of suppression of thought and expression pretty harmful to general public discourse, especially on college campuses, which are sorta supposed to encourage individual thought and debate. I imagine that the reason the Republican organization didn’t pursue an official approval for their speaker is because they would not have been likely to recieve one; when college leadership has the power to encourage or discourage certain political opinions by limiting the speakers and ideas that are allowed to come onto campus, it only polarizes both sides more and harms our ability to communicate in cooperation. I do not like Nick Solheim, my point overall is that people *should* be allowed to express ideas (however inflammatory) on college campuses to encourage actual debate— if the OSI takes real action to suppress or revoke the privileges of the Republican organization, it will simply serve to drive those that resonate with Solheim’s ideas to further see the left as antagonistic, and it will drive the left to further antagonize right-leaning students on campus for sharing their thoughts because “you’re part of ‘them'”. We’re all human actors with legitimate goals and ideas, however misguided– let’s not forget that the only way to truly communicate with others is with a fully open mind and work towards genuine tolerance and cooperation (even if an individual’s ideas are not in favor of that ‘tolerance and cooperation,’ it’s important that all are given a chance to voice, and/or change, their minds.)
Chris • Oct 23, 2025 at 4:09 pm
republicans not following the rules, color me shocked.