On June 25, the University of Utah hosted its annual neighbor open house at the S.J. Quinney College of Law. The event brought together residents from surrounding neighborhoods and campus leaders to talk candidly about growth, safety, construction, student life and other topics important to the community.

Unlike a typical town hall, the evening was designed as a conversation. After brief introductions from university leadership, attendees were encouraged to visit topic-specific stations and speak directly with university experts. The open-house format made space for informal but meaningful dialogue. “One of my goals tonight is to put names with faces,” said Chris Nelson, chief university relations officer. “We want neighbors to know who to reach out to—whether you have a question, a concern, or just want to better understand what’s happening on campus.”

The evening opened with remarks from Emma E. Houston, assistant vice president for community engagement, who introduced representatives from Campus Planning, Public Safety, Facilities, Auxiliary Services, Student Affairs, Athletics, Board of Trustees and Alumni Relations. Representatives from the Marriott Library and Pioneer Theatre Company were also present to share information about public programs and cultural events open to the community. During the introductions, presenters outlined both current initiatives and long-range goals tied to the university’s Impact 2030 strategic plan and its companion Physical Development Framework.

In his remarks, Nelson outlined the university’s three overarching goals under Impact 2030: student success, research and innovation and service to the community. He emphasized the university’s transition to a more residential campus, the goal of reaching $1 billion in annual research activity, and the institution’s statewide reach. These priorities, Nelson noted, also influence decisions about infrastructure, housing, and campus accessibility, making regular conversations with nearby residents all the more important.

Neighbors brought a wide range of questions to the conversation, asking about the university’s recent acquisition of the Fort Douglas land, East Village construction plans, the U’s parking strategy moving forward and how decisions are made about large-scale events held at venues like Rice-Eccles Stadium and the Huntsman Center. Others voiced concerns about off-campus student parties, underage drinking, confusion over police jurisdiction and ongoing noise issues.

The event underscored a shift in the university’s approach to community engagement with neighbors. City Councilmember Dan Dugan, East Central Community Council Chair Esther Hunter and Yalecrest Neighborhood Council representative Rachel Day were among those in attendance, reflecting a shared commitment to improving neighborhood-university relationships. “While we’ve been deeply connected across the state, we haven’t always been as present in conversations with our closest neighbors,” Nelson said. “This open house is one step toward changing that.”