At The U Email

March 30, 2026

Stories, announcements and events for the University of Utah community

LEAD STORY

Gulf desalination plants in Iran’s crosshairs?

A Q&A with Middle East historian Chris Low, an expert in the vital role water infrastructure plays in the region's social and economic life.

READ THE STORY

FEATURED

Featured Stories

Highlights from across campus, selected for this issue.

University of Utah earns dual recognition in global and U.S. patent rankings

Researchers are developing solutions that improve lives and strengthen the economy.

Classics at the U: Enduring and vital

Starting in Fall 2026, U students will have another opportunity to study the classics with the introduction of the newly created Classical Civilizations emphasis.

USHE institutions join partnership with Interfaith America

Through the Utah Cooperation Cohort, participating institutions will make presidential-level commitments to support initiatives that foster collaboration across differences.

U web editors make final push to meet April federal digital accessibility deadline

Across campus, teams are taking technical and practical approaches to improving accessibility.

Breaking down the 2026 legislative session

Find out how this year's legislative session impacted the U.

Tapping AI for precision-guided cancer therapies

New "lab-on-a-chip" platform may enable same-day treatment decision for pediatric cancer patients.

Tuition costs for the 2026-27 school year

The Utah Board of Higher Education approved the 3.5% increase at a meeting March 27.

Utah wildfire camera network supports management efforts, U research

In rural Utah, wildfires often go unnoticed before they spiral out of control.

University of Utah announces transition of chief financial officer role

Gary L. McArthur will be deputy enterprise chief financial officer effective on April 15, 2026.

Veteran law enforcement leader named new deputy chief safety officer

Jack Carruth brings 31 years of experience to the deputy chief safety officer role, including a decade as a police chief.

Celebrate Pride Week at the U

The Center for Community and Cultural Engagement is hosting a variety of events from March 30 to April 4 for all members of the campus community.

Dry humor, and a big message in ‘Urinetown’

It’s a banger to end on as we melt in one of the warmest and driest winters in our state’s recorded history.

Humans of the U: LeiLoni Allan McLaughlin

"Progress in 2026 is just getting diverse people into a room and them seeing the beauty in that diversity."

Humans of the U: Heather Sturzenegger

"Working with the community is the most important part of what I do. Police at the U are involved in just about every aspect of the campus community."

TO KNOW

Announcements

2026 Earth Month events at the U

Join the University of Utah in celebrating Earth Month 2026 this April! This year's theme is "Sustainability is Always in Fashion."

University of Utah Student Media wins at the 2026 Apple Awards

U Student Media’s independent, student-run media platforms serve as the campus storytellers.

Turn ideas into impact: Join the ‘Build with AI’ hackathon on April 17

The Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute invites all members of the U campus community to participate in its artificial intelligence hackathon on April 17.

ON CAMPUS

Featured Events

Dates to keep on your radar.

Mar

Spain in Sanmao and Sanmao in Spain

Event details →

Mar

Graduation Extravaganza

Event details →

Apr

Day of Kindness: Kindness for the Earth and U

Event details →