The Utah Board of Higher Education unanimously voted on October 2, 2025, to direct the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education to establish a task force to evaluate campus safety across Utah’s public colleges and universities. The task force will assess current security measures and recommend systemwide policies and practices to enhance the safety and well-being of students, faculty and staff.

The motion underscores the Board’s commitment to fostering secure learning environments that provide valuable education and enhance the prosperity of all Utahns. The task force reflects the Utah System of Higher Education’s ongoing efforts to proactively address safety concerns and implement best practices across all campuses.

“Ensuring the safety of our campus communities is paramount,” said Jon Cox, Utah Board of Higher Education vice chair. “This task force will provide valuable insights and actionable recommendations to strengthen our collective efforts to safeguard these vital public spaces.”

The task force will comprise a broad array of stakeholders, including campus security professionals, experts in law enforcement, 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. “We must ensure that our colleges provide spaces where our students can learn, where our faculty can teach and research, and where communities can gather to exchange ideas and enjoy the beauty of our campuses safely.”