A panel of five University of Utah leaders came together on Wednesday, Feb. 25 as part of a campus safety town hall organized by ASUU.

Keith Squires, chief safety officer, discussed ongoing efforts to launch the Public Safety Framework that will guide the U over the coming years and explained that the Department of Public Safety is focused on breaking down barriers and addressing distrust that can prevent students from reporting concerns, highlighting a behavioral intervention team created about 18 months ago to address stalking and other troubling behaviors before they escalate into criminal activity.

Students in attendance watched the Department of Public Safety’s new 10-minute active threat video that will become part of student community standards courses during Fall 2026 enrollment.

Stuart Moffatt, director of emergency management, answered questions about campus alerts, the need for clearer messaging and the new Standard Response Protocol that was recently adopted on campus.

He urged students to add mobile numbers to the campus alert system to receive text notifications, calling SMS messaging the fastest way to communicate during emergencies. “We’re going to use it for your safety,” he said and shared that he’s working with information technology teams to make alert sign-ups more visible in the student portal.

The town hall follows concerns over delayed or unclear messaging during a November swatting incident. Squires acknowledged they “can and should have done better,” and said internal reviews led to procedural changes, including creating pre-drafted messages that can be sent more quickly from dispatch that will improve response times and transparency.

The forum also included university housing representatives Anna Dickherber, executive director of housing & dining programs and Stephen Henninger, director of residence life who explained how housing officials work closely with the U’s Department of Public Safety to ensure students feel secure in residence halls.

Throughout the meeting, panelists repeatedly emphasized early reporting, bystander awareness and mental health support. Henninger said nearly 200 student staff and more than 20 professional staff participate in a 24/7 on-call system to respond to issues ranging from roommate conflicts to building emergencies.

“If you’re not safe, how can we expect you to be a great student?” Dickherber said, referencing Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. She detailed how university housing oversees room placements and coordinates with public safety to address safety concerns—discussing everything from students being uncomfortable with a roommate to objections to firearms in residential areas.

Officer Ben Harmon, the newly appointed residence life officer embedded in campus housing, said his role is to build trust and provide an additional layer of security within residence halls. He encouraged students to contact police with concerns, even if they seem minor.

“It’s never a waste of time for us to talk to people and communicate with our campus,” Harmon said.

Attendees also had the opportunity to ask other U leaders about gun policies among other topics.

Squires said the proposed House Bill 84 could eliminate the concealed carry permit requirement while maintaining restrictions on open carry on campus. He advised students to call police if they see someone brandishing a firearm, noting the distinction between lawful concealed carry and threatening behavior.

Panelists encouraged students to continue raising concerns through student government, residence hall representatives and future town halls, describing safety as a shared responsibility between the Department of Public Safety and the entire campus community.