University of Florida's president says legal counsel has been retained by the group that wanted to bring a prominent white nationalist to campus, and the school stands by its decision to turn down the request.

W. Kent Fuchs sent a letter to UF students Tuesday that representatives of the National Policy Institute had retained counsel and planned to pursue bringing Richard Spencer to campus as planned.

No formal complaint has been filed yet, however.

NPI wanted to bring Spencer to UF on Sept. 12. However, UF officials said conversations on the internet led them to believe Spencer's visit would pose a security risk.

"Considering the conversations online, and on social media about Florida being the next battle ground and about blood baths. The rhetoric was very strong and made violence seem imminent," University of Florida spokesperson Janine Sikes said earlier this month.

Fuchs said UF never entered into a contract with NPI. However Cameron Padgett, the Georgia resident who coordinated the event, insisted he signed an agreement and sent it to an event coordinator.

"We are prepared to vigorously defend our decision," Fuchs said. "The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority."

UNC-Chapel Hill and Penn State also recently denied Spencer's request to visit those campuses.