UF College Republicans announced its return to campus Monday, exactly six months after the university administration banned the organization in March.
In an Instagram post, the club called its comeback a “total and complete victory,” thanking members who stuck around during the monthslong absence.
“We never negotiated it away. We never apologized for it,” the post said. “We fought, and we won.”
UFCR’s disbandment came after claims members engaged in an “antisemetic gesture” that violated the rules of the statewide Florida Federation of College Republicans.
The group denounced its connection to FFCR in an X post addressing the ban, instead stating its affiliation to the College Republicans of America.
Shortly after the ban, UFCR filed a federal lawsuit against UF, arguing its deactivation violated members’ First Amendment rights. The judge dismissed the case in June after a two-day trial, citing a lack of evidence to prove a First Amendment rights violation.
But according to Michael Andre, a 21-year-old UF finance senior and president of UFCR, the judge added the UFCR could continue its operations on campus with the correct affiliation with an entity of the Republican party.
UFCR was still allowed to operate off-campus or pay to rent a campus classroom during the ban, but it no longer qualified as an official UF student organization.
The organization met with the Republican Party of Alachua County in August to seek reinstatement independent of the FFCR.
When the club continued to face difficulties in getting approval to return to campus despite local involvement, it took the issue to the state level, said Andre.
The issue eventually reached Evan Powers, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, who ultimately approved a charter. This new charter affiliation and recognition by the Republican Party allowed UFCR to regain its status as a registered student organization, Andre said.
The club has always valued the idea of free speech, Andre said, and it will resume its regular agenda from now on.
“We’re going to let people voice their opinions like they were previously,” he said, “and have what I think to be a very good year.”
Contact Ellia Mytsa at emytsa@alligator.org. Follow her on X @elliamytsa.
Ellia Mytsa is a second-year Journalism major at the University of Florida and the Fall 2026 University Administration reporter. In her free time, you can find her singing karaoke, spending time with friends, at a farmer's market, or laying in the sun.
