The shooting in Orem, Utah, shocked universities across the country, prompting many to review how they manage security for public events. While UVU’s outdoor courtyard setting created unique vulnerabilities, institutions everywhere are reassessing their posture—even those that rarely host large political or celebrity speakers.

Key Considerations for Universities

• Event Type Matters: Not all campuses hold outdoor rallies or political events. Security planning should reflect the scale, audience, and symbolism of each gathering.
• Physical Security: Many universities are adding or considering more uniformed security officers, increased access controls, and, in some cases, armed protective presence.
• Intelligence & Forensics: Schools are turning to private security firms for help with social media monitoring, pre-event threat analysis, and vulnerability mapping.
• Visible Deterrence: Just the presence of credible, professional security can discourage potential hostile actors.
• Preserving Values: Universities must balance free expression and accessibility with the need for enhanced protection. This requires careful dialogue between administrators, law enforcement, and private security partners.

At DSS, we recognize that each campus is different. Some host major public speakers; others focus on smaller academic forums. Our REACT framework (Review, Evaluate, Analyze, Correct, Train) ensures each institution receives a tailored assessment—from a line-of-sight analysis to crowd management planning—that aligns with their mission and culture.

The UVU incident is a wake-up call. By learning from it, universities can strengthen resilience while preserving the open environment that defines higher education.