What are pillar events?
At the University of Utah, students have endless opportunities to connect, learn, and thrive through campus events. However, with so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or lost in the crowd. To simplify and enhance the student experience, Student Affairs is excited to introduce pillar events—large-scale, thoughtfully curated events designed to serve as cornerstones of the college experience.
Pillar events were created in response to Student Affairs’ Revitalize Engagement and Belonging strategic initiative. This initiative focuses on reimagining events, programs, traditions, and services to foster meaningful connections, encourage personal growth, and create welcoming environments where students can thrive.
“Being part of a community is a foundational component of university experience,” said Jason Ramirez, associate vice president and dean of students. “Pillar events are where students discover their passions, find their purpose, and connect with people. The memories they create during these moments are the ones they’ll look back on fondly when they remember their time at the U.”
Through pillar events, Student Affairs aims to provide students with experiences that go beyond casual pastimes. These events are intentionally designed to support student success by helping them build connections, find communities, and deepen their sense of belonging—key factors for both academic achievement and personal growth.
Pillar events are also designed to have broad appeal, bringing together the entire campus community. Curated by the Engagement and Belonging Committee—comprising staff from across Student Affairs—these events represent a true collaborative effort. While a specific department may lead an event, the committee contributes different perspectives and expertise to ensure that pillar events offer something for everyone, fostering experiences where all students feel welcomed, included, and valued.
With the support of Campus Events Manager Pam Logan, these events aim to be both memorable and consistent, giving students a clear sense of what to expect and when. This approach reinforces campus traditions and aligns with President Randall’s College Town Magic vision. Some events, such as celebration and awareness weeks, will take place annually, while others will occur more frequently to keep students engaged throughout the year.
“We understand that what defines a ‘campus tradition’ can differ for each student,” said Erica Andersen, associate dean of students. “By offering a variety of Pillar events, we’re giving students the opportunity to customize their experience and determine which events become meaningful traditions for them. Our hope is that every student finds at least one event that resonates with them and positively impacts their college experience—whether it’s by making a new friend, creating a cherished memory, or learning something new.”
Students can find details and RSVP for pillar events on Campus Connect—the official student engagement platform.
Spring 2025 Pillar Events
- Get Involved Fair: Jan 9
- Silent Disco: Jan 10
- MLK Week: Jan 18–24
- Tax Clinic Launch Party: Feb 6
- Health and Wellness Event: Feb 11
- Women’s Week: Mar 3–8
- Neurodiversity Week: Mid-March (date TBD)
- Casino Night: Mar 21
- Pride Week: TBD
- Mindful Walk: April 19
- Reimagining Healing: TBD
- Annual Powwow: TBD
- Grand Kerfuffle: April 11
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: April-May (date TBD)