After little more than a week of protesting for balance and petitioning against Michael Moore's visit next week, the UA College Republicans have booked conservative author Ann Coulter for an Oct. 21 speech at Centennial Hall.
UACR said ASUA was not balancing Michael Moore's liberal views with a conservative of equal celebrity and invited Coulter to achieve this balance.
Young America's Foundation, a non-profit organization, is helping UACR fund the event, along with private donors from Tucson, said Pete Seat, state chairman of the Arizona College Republicans.
The speech will be free for attendees, and Seat said Coulter will be paid about $20,000 for her appearance.
"The people of Tucson, especially students, were outraged that our student government was only bringing in a well-known person from one side of the political spectrum," said Seat, a theater arts senior, in a memo released last night.
In just over a week, Seat said, 1,212 people signed the petition.
Alicia Cybulski, president of the UA Young Democrats, said it will be interesting opportunity for students who see the speech.
"I disagree vehemently with her subject matter and how she presents information," said Cybulski, a political science senior. "For people who choose to see her, it will be an interesting reaction to the Michael Moore event."
She said the UAYD has no plans to protest Coulter's visit.
UACR was able to book Coulter quickly because she is on the West Coast promoting her book "How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Must)," Seat said.
The event will be held at 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the UACR table on the Mall today, and at the Pima County Republican Party Headquarters, 5447 E. Fifth St. starting Monday.