A Utah law adopted during the 2024 legislature has already transformed the way state colleges and universities provide student services, recruit faculty and engage with the community around them.
HB 261 was designed to limit traditional efforts to build diversity and require institutions to broaden their approach for all students, regardless of “personal identity characteristics.” The law included a requirement that the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) track perception of and experience with an institution’s campus environment; including their freedom of speech, academic freedom and other types of free expression on Utah’s campuses after the implementation of the legislation.
On Feb. 17, every University of Utah student, faculty and staff member will receive an email explaining the survey and its terms of engagement. The survey itself, from Hanover Research, will land in campus inboxes from March 3 through March 15. Students who respond to the survey are eligible for gift cards.
“We encourage every member of the campus community to participate in this survey,” said Brian Nicholls, the university’s director of campus compliance services. “This is one of the most effective ways that students, staff and faculty can share their feedback about their perceptions of the campus climate.”
Once all the survey data is gathered and analyzed throughout the spring semester, USHE will compile a report to state lawmakers.