SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Board of Higher Education voted unanimously Thursday to create a task force focused on evaluating and enhancing campus safety across the state’s public colleges and universities.
The decision directs the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education to establish the task force, which will assess current security measures and recommend systemwide policies to better protect students, faculty, and staff. The move underscores the board’s commitment to ensuring secure learning environments amid rising public scrutiny over campus safety practices.
“Ensuring the safety of our campus communities is paramount,” said Jon Cox, vice chair of the Utah Board of Higher Education. “This task force will provide valuable insights and actionable recommendations to strengthen our collective efforts to safeguard these vital public spaces.”
The action comes as security protocols at Utah colleges have faced increased scrutiny following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last month, an event that highlighted potential vulnerabilities in campus security planning and resources.
The new task force will include a broad range of stakeholders, such as campus security professionals, law enforcement experts, administrators, faculty, and student representatives.
“We have an opportunity to revisit our policies, our practices and our resources to determine how we can further advance safety on our campuses,” said Geoffrey Landward, commissioner of higher education. He added that the goal is to ensure colleges provide spaces where students can learn, faculty can teach, and communities can gather to exchange ideas safely. The task force is part of the Utah System of Higher Education’s proactive effort to address safety concerns and implement best practices across all institutions.