On the second anniversary of her tragic death, Lauren McCluskey’s family and the University of Utah announced a settlement that will provide funds for a foundation dedicated to improving safety on college campuses nationwide.
While this announcement brings a painful chapter to a close, the shock and sadness of Lauren’s death still weighs heavily on us all. Together with Lauren’s family and her friends, the University of Utah campus community continues to mourn her loss and shares a commitment to remember and honor Lauren’s life.
Lauren’s death was a transformative event for the university, as it caused the U.’s administration and governing boards to closely examine campus safety practices and student support services and to consider what we can do to help students more effectively recognize risks and guard against threats to their personal safety and well-being. Sadly, sexual predation and violence are problems on college campuses across the nation and it is imperative that we do all in our power to protect students from their devastating consequences.
As a result of both internal and external reviews following Lauren’s death, the university identified a number of issues that clearly had to be addressed. In response, the university has improved its policies, practices and procedures, made personnel changes and made significant investments in its campus safety infrastructure.
Among the first steps taken was the hiring of a chief safety officer for the university — Marlon Lynch — who is empowered to make changes both large and small. With his help, the U. has hired new leadership in its police department and additional officers specifically trained to deal with relationship violence and threats to student safety.
The U. also has improved its emergency notification system, established a Center for Violence Prevention — renamed in Lauren’s honor — and is implementing many other reforms responsive to current calls for racial justice and victim-survivor advocacy.
All of Utah’s colleges and universities share the same concern for their students' safety, as well as for the general health and well-being of students who increasingly are vulnerable to stress, anxiety and depression. Events of recent years have caused all the member institutions of Utah’s System of Higher Education to work more closely together, to learn from one another and to find more effective ways to protect and support our students.
Throughout this process, the U.’s Board of Trustees and the state’s Board of Higher Education have been reminded of how fortunate the University of Utah is to have Ruth Watkins as its president. Watkins' steady leadership, her commitment to transformative change and determination to build a team that will work tirelessly to ensure the safety, health and well-being of our students is commendable.
In the months and years to come, the university will continue to implement best practices for the health and safety of its students, faculty and staff. Lauren’s death has been a sobering reminder of just how fragile life is and how important it is that we all work together to find solutions to threats to our health and safety from those who would prey on the vulnerable among us.
As we look to the future, Lauren McCluskey’s memory will live on, continuing to inspire our pursuit of that commitment.
Christian Gardner
Christian Gardner is the chair of the University of Utah’s Board of Trustees.
Harris Simmons
Harris Simmons is the chair of the Utah Board of Higher Education.