A word from Vice President Lori McDonald

Hi everyone,

October is #SafeU month at the University of Utah, and it’s the perfect time to reflect on how safety is at the heart of everything we do. This is especially true given recent events within our state and changes across higher education’s landscape. A safe campus is essential for our students to thrive—allowing them to not only focus on their studies, but also discover their passion, people, and purpose with ease.

I want to pause and acknowledge the incredible work happening across our teams to support student safety every day. Whether it’s crisis support through the University Counseling Center, accountability and care from the Office of Residential Life and Office of the Dean of Students, or our partnership with Mental Health First Responders (MH1), all of our efforts strengthen the culture of care we are building together.

Just in the last fiscal year, the Office of the Dean of Students supported 15% more students and reduced the average time to close cases by six days—ensuring quicker and more effective support. Additionally, the Center for Campus Wellness supported over 239 individuals through its Victim-Survivor Advocacy program and expanded safety planning services by 15%, while partnering with the University Counseling Center to embed counseling support for participants.

Still, safety is not only the work of specific offices—it’s part of each of our roles. It shows up in the way we listen with compassion, the way we share resources, and the way we create welcoming spaces where students feel comfortable asking for help. I encourage you to visit SafeU’s “Where Do I Get…?” page to learn more about available safety resources and reporting options available to both our students and staff.

Thank you for always striving to make our campus safer and stronger.

Sincerely,

Lori McDonald