Although UW-Madison officials say the College Republicans owe $1,300 for added security at David Horowitz’s speech this semester, the group said it will not pay, and some allege political targeting.

“We did not ask for extra security and we are not paying $1,300,” said Sara Mikolajczak, UW-Madison College Republican chair.

The College Republicans received a bill for $1,300 in security fees last month for conservative commentator David Horowitz’s Oct. 22 speech. The event drew in a packed Memorial Union Theater and required additional University of Wisconsin police staffing.

At Horowitz’s speech, there was politically charged debate, but the event ended peacefully and the extra security only served as precaution.

Don Nelson, a UW-Madison administrative program specialist, said the University of Wisconsin Police Department provides security for all campus events and makes decisions for every one, regardless of the sponsors or political ties.

According to Nelson, UWPD looks at the history of an event on other campuses, the time, date and location of the event at UW-Madison, as well as other factors to determine whether extra security is needed.

However, others are alleging the hefty security bill is due to Horowitz’s controversial and conservative background.

State Sen. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, speculated the College Republicans might have been wrongly targeted.

He said many find conservative speakers to be more controversial than liberal speakers, and thus believe extra security is needed to police protesting attendees who may cause uproar.

Grothman referenced a list of conservative speeches in the past where UW added extra security. “There were some people on there whose names I did not recognize,” he said, suggesting they were target edfor their conservative nature.

“The university should be in charge of protecting freedom of speech,” he said, not policing political beliefs.

Nelson said the university invited the College Republicans to meet with the Office of the Chancellor to discuss the event and the security fees.

In the future, Nelson said he would like any student groups that are sole sponsors of an event to meet with UW administration to discuss issues, such as security.

“It’s important for the university to not squelch those opportunities,” Nelson said. “We want to do our best to ensure these groups have an opportunity to present their program in a way that they see fit, but in a secure manner.”

Grothman said he hoped university officials would adopt a free speech policy in the future. “We are not going to be in a practice of deeming some speakers controversial and some not.” Mikolajczak agreed. “I really do think the Board of Regents [and university] would be well advised to take Senator Grothman’s advice,” she said.