The University of Utah’s Department of Public Safety continues to evolve, including new staff, training, and its more visible headquarters on 500 South.
If you’re new to campus, you can learn more about the department’s crime victim advocates and soft interview rooms, updates about public safety policies, emergency management planning, and messages from Chief Safety Officer Keith Squires on the Department of Public Safety’s website.
Public Safety is one of the key places to report interpersonal violence, sexual assault and property crimes that happen on campus or among members of the campus community. Along with the Office of Dean of Students and the Office of Equal Opportunity, Public Safety also responds to reports of sexual harassment and potential hate crimes.
There are both federal and state laws against hate crimes, and as such, University police officers investigate any reports of hate-motivated incidents, threats, and crimes to ensure the safety of our campus community. These incidents are also reviewed by the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) to protect student’s rights to equal access to educational opportunities under the Civil Rights Act and the University’s nondiscrimination policies.
“We are committed to the safety, well-being, sense of belonging and success of everyone on campus,” said Squires. “We will continue to track and investigate incidents that violate state and federal laws—such as harassment, hate crimes, violence, threats and incitement. Doing so ensures the safety and dignity of our community and helps us prevent future acts of hate and violence.”
If you’ve experienced or witnessed a hate crime or hate-motivated incident, you can learn more about how to report on the Department of Public Safety’s website.
A hate crime is a criminal violation that is motivated by perceived or actual race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability (i.e. protected classes). Both state and federal law address hate crimes. Examples of a hate crime can include:
- Assaulting or injuring someone because of their perceived protected class
- Vandalizing someone else’s property with racist or derogatory graffiti based on their perceived protected class
- Threatening to physically harm someone, their family, or property based on their perceived protected class
If you are unsure if you’ve experienced a hate crime, you should contact University Police at 801-585-2677.
A hate-motivated incident is an intimidating or threatening act toward an individual or their property based on their actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability. These incidents are harmful to the individual and to the broader community, but may not always reach the legal threshold of a hate crime or violate the University's policies on discrimination and discriminatory harassment.
We encourage individuals to report all hate-motivated incidents, threats and intimidation to the Department of Public Safety. What might seem like a minor or isolated event could escalate into ongoing harassment or violence. Even if an incident cannot be prosecuted as a hate crime, reporting them may help prevent future acts of hate on our campus.
If this is an emergency or your immediate safety is at risk, dial 911 or University Police at 801-585-2677.
When a hate-motivated incident or crime occurs, the following campus partners should be notified:
- Office of Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action– to report discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct
- University of Utah Police – to report any safety concerns, including potential hate crimes, threatening or concerning behavior, harassment, intimidation, hazing, interpersonal violence, stalking, vandalism, and any other criminal offenses. Reports can also be submitted anonymously here or by emailing safeu@utah.edu.
- Office of the Dean of Students– to report behavioral misconduct, disputes, or concerns related to students
- Office for Faculty or University of Utah Health's Office for Faculty- to report behavioral misconduct, disputes, or concerns related to faculty
- Human Resources– to report behavioral misconduct, disputes, or concerns related to staff
If you are unsure of where to report, you can submit a Public Incident Report with details about the incident and your report will be referred to the appropriate campus partners (listed above). These campus partners will review your report and may investigate to determine if university policies, state/federal laws, or behavioral misconduct rules have been violated.
Hate-motivated incidents and hate crimes not only harm individuals, but can also instill fear across entire communities. Safety planning, counseling, and other support services are available from various entities on campus. More information on support resources available to those who have been impacted by a hate crime/incident can be found on the Department of Public Safety’s FAQ or at SafeU.
Additional updates
The University of Utah implemented several structural changes to comply with a new state law governing diversity efforts on campus. As a result of HB 261 and guidance from the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), the University of Utah disbanded the Division of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and related programs and initiatives, including the Racist & Bias Incident Response Team. Looking forward, the University will integrate any future guidance from the Utah System of Higher Education in regards to addressing and reconciling hate speech, free expression, and institutional neutrality on our campus.