Police have arrested a 22-year-old man for historic assault offences at a Young Liberal meet-and-greet at the University of Melbourne as the function descended into a rowdy dispute.

Police and University of Melbourne campus security were called to the Parkville barbecue organised by the Victorian Liberal Students Association on Thursday morning after members of the rival Melbourne University Liberal Club arrived and started loudly protesting about the event.

University of Melbourne. Credit:Simon Schluter

The Templestowe man, who was released without charge after speaking to police, was accused of recklessly causing injury in August last year.

The Melbourne University Liberal Club has been plagued by conflict in recent years as factional battles threatens to engulf the university's conservative movement. It is not officially a branch of the Liberal Party, although it does include Liberal members.

MPs Tim Wilson, Katie Allen and Bridget Vallence were due at the University Square event but pulled out after hearing that factional tensions were boiling over.

University of Melbourne has been contacted for comment.