University of Utah Making Student Safety Improvements
The university will be spending nearly $400,000 in student safety improvements, which will also include an online sexual assault prevention course that all students must take before enrolling in classes.
A new student safety plan will soon be in place at the University of Utah, according to a recent statement for the University board of trustees. The plan will include hiring a new victim advocate, a case manager, and one more staff member to work in the Dean of Students office, as well as working on a one-year awareness campaign to help promote their new campus safety website.
Out of the university’s $380,000 budget for safety improvements, $125,000 will be spending on better lighting around campus. The campus P.D. will also be working to add more cameras on campus.
The university will also require each student to complete an online sexual assault prevention course before they enroll in classes.
"Let me be clear. There is no place for violence, sexual harassment or sexual assault at the University of Utah,” said University of Utah President David Pershing. “It is a high priority for me and all the members of my administrative team to do all that we can to support those who experience trauma—in any form—and at the same time to promote awareness of and educate campus community members about our expectations for our campus culture. Each of us can contribute to making our campus a model of inclusion, respect and safety for everyone who visits, works and studies here. I ask you to join us in working toward that goal."
The university will be working on this plan throughout the summer and as classes begin this fall.