College Republicans United at
Arizona State University

CRU was established in 2018 by former members of the ASU College Republicans who departed the organization over concerns about leadership corruption. The group was supported by faculty advisor Donald Critchlow, who helped formalize the organization and gave it the name College Republicans United as a conservative alternative to the existing chapter. Shortly after its founding, Charles Loftus became the group’s permanent faculty advisor.

In 2020, Loftus left Arizona State University for Arizona Christian Academy, leaving CRU without an advisor during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, the university imposed restrictions on student activities, including limiting or prohibiting events that were not formally authorized under pandemic policies. Following pressure and the potential for litigation from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, the university appointed Lara Klinkner as a temporary advisor.

Since then, ASU has continued to implement additional regulations affecting student organizations, including restrictions on tabling and requiring extended advance notice for hosting speakers. In response, beginning in 2025, CRU has chosen to operate unofficially off campus while continuing to hold demonstrations and recruit members independently of university approval.