The alt-right leader and president of the National Policy Institute who took part in the recent demonstrations in Charlottesville will not be speaking at a Penn State University event, President Eric Barron said Tuesday.

"After critical assessment by campus police, in consultation with state and federal law enforcement officials, we have determined that Mr. Spencer is not welcome on our campus, as this event at this time presents a major security risk to students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus," Barron said.

"It is the likelihood of disruption and violence, not the content, however odious, that drives our decision," he added.

Spencer was invited to speak this fall at the University Park campus, and didn't make the request himself, Lisa Powers, Penn State spokeswoman, told the Daily Collegian.

"An individual who claims to be a student at Georgia State University, and an acolyte to Richard Spencer, made the request on July 23. We've received no request from Spencer himself or any organization associated with him," Powers said.

After the Charlottesville demonstration, Spencer - who popularized the term "alt-right" to describe the fringe movement mixing white supremacy, white nationalism, anti-Semitism and anti-immigration populism - refused to condemn the man accused of hitting demonstrators with his car, killing one woman.

He blamed the violence on authorities who he claimed had failed to keep order, and said he would return to Charlottesville to protest the removal of the Gen. Robert E. Lee statue.

In May, Spencer was among a group that gathered at the Lee statue in Charlottesville for night-time protest, according to media reports.

"As stated last week, Penn State is an institution of higher education, and fully supports the right of free speech and encourages its expression in thoughtful and respectful ways, even when we strongly disagree with the opinions expressed. But the First Amendment does not require our University to risk imminent violence," Barron said.

"I disagree profoundly with the content that has been presented publicly about this speaker's views which are abhorrent and contradictory to our University's values. There is no place for hatred, bigotry or racism in our society and on our campuses," Barron said.

"As we enter the new semester with a national climate of great uncertainty, Penn State continues to foster an inclusive climate for all races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, genders and other differences. Our University strives to create an environment where everyone can teach, learn and live in an atmosphere of safety and mutual respect," Barron said.