Utah Valley University is taking decisive action in response to the tragic shooting involving conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The university plans to expand its police force and enhance campus security measures following criticisms of its safety practices on the day of the incident.
Details of the Incident
On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while debating students in an outdoor courtyard at the Orem campus. The event, attended by approximately 3,000 people, lacked essential safety protocols, such as bag checks and metal detectors. Concerns arose after an Associated Press review highlighted that campus police had only six officers on duty, insufficient for an event of that size.
Police Force Expansion
In response to the incident and the subsequent criticism, the university is in the process of hiring eight additional campus police officers, along with two new safety managers. These new hires are intended to improve coordination and security for future campus events, according to spokesperson Ellen Treanor.
Current Police Staffing Levels
- Current number of police officers: 23
- Student population: approximately 32,000
- Current officer-to-student ratio: 1 officer for every 1,400 students
- Projected number of officers after expansion: just over 30
- Recommended officer-to-student ratio: 1 for every 500 students
- Minimum required officers to meet recommended ratio: at least 64
The statistics reveal that, even after the planned expansion, Utah Valley University will still have a police presence below the standards considered adequate for large public institutions. According to a 2024 Department of Justice study, the average public university in the U.S. has one officer for every 500 students, a threshold that Utah Valley is far from meeting.
Budgetary Considerations
For the new fiscal year starting October 1, the university’s policing budget is set at $2.1 million, a slight decrease from the $2.2 million budget at the time of the shooting. However, the university has not clarified how it intends to fund the planned expansions to its police force.
Legal Proceedings
In connection with the shooting, Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder and is currently awaiting trial. The university’s actions following this incident underline the urgent need for improved safety measures on campus.
