Dear UNLV Community,
As the university returns from spring break and prepares to enter the final stretch of a busy spring semester, we recognize that this is a time of heightened uncertainty.
At the federal level, the administration has expressed an intention to shrink and possibly close the Department of Education. While we cannot anticipate all of the implications of these developments at this time, it’s important to note that simultaneously the administration has expressed a commitment to maintain resources – including federal student aid – that are vital to the success of UNLV and institutions of higher education across the nation.
Additionally, we continue to consider how to ensure compliance with new federal mandates related to DEI activities on campus and in any federal grants. We have had several grants canceled, including a few that support GA positions. We have moved the impacted Graduate Assistants to state GA funding through the end of this semester and are working on ways to support impacted faculty. Overall, we believe we are in compliance with these federal mandates and thus few, if any, substantive changes will be needed as we move forward. We take great pride in the diversity of our campus and will continue to foster the welcoming and supportive environment that we deeply value.
On our campus, we remain steadfast in our commitment to improve our overall safety preparedness in the aftermath of the campus shooting. We have made meaningful progress over the past 15 months, though sometimes not as quickly as we would have liked. This progress we have made is due to the combined efforts of many staff, faculty, and students. And while this important work continues, I want to express my deep appreciation for all who have contributed to this effort – from those delivering crucial mental health and wellness services to our safety personnel, facilities and planning teams, and to everyone who has supported their students, peers, and colleagues during this challenging period.
Enhancing campus safety and security is UNLV’s top priority at the Nevada Legislature this spring. We’re working with NSHE and our legislative partners to advocate for further state support for facilities and infrastructure upgrades, security and preparedness technology, and personnel.
These funds would supplement the roughly $5 million invested by the university for security, to remediate property damage, and to offset business interruption following the Dec. 6 tragedy. We continue to work diligently through insurance and related claims to seek reimbursement for qualifying expenses.
I appreciate the Nevada Legislature’s Interim Finance Committee and Governor Lombardo for already committing funds in 2024 to cover a large portion of the expenses for the “yellow jacket” private security personnel who have provided a reassuring presence on our campuses since Dec. 6.
Campus Safety Enhancements In Progress
Although we hope to receive supplemental funding from the state, the university has also committed approximately $2.5 million in new funding for a number of safety and security enhancements on our Maryland Parkway and Shadow Lane campuses previously highlighted and still in progress. This is in addition to another $1 million in exterior lighting upgrades recently completed and/or underway.
We’ve purchased nearly 500 automatic locking buttons to be installed by the start of the fall semester in classrooms, labs, and performance spaces. These buttons will allow users to lock rooms from inside. The first phase, which we expect to begin soon, includes approximately 200 learning spaces. Exterior lock boxes will also be added to 50 campus locations to allow first responders easier access to locked rooms during an emergency.
As part of a pilot program, wall-mounted phones with emergency messaging capabilities were installed in BEH, and we expect more than 320 phones – with plans to add a 9-1-1 speed dial feature – will be installed campuswide by the end of the calendar year.
Work is underway to install two new outdoor RebelSAFE emergency phones on the Maryland Parkway campus, with projected completion by June 30. Another five emergency phones on the Maryland Pkwy. and Shadow Ln. campuses will be replaced with new models by the end of 2025.
Two technology-focused projects are in the purchasing phase, and we expect to begin work in the summer. This includes adding license plate recognition technology, similar to what is already used by Parking Services, at entrances throughout the Maryland Pkwy. and Shadow Ln. campuses, and installation of 41 new security cameras to campus buildings. Five cameras were installed in BEH prior to the start of the fall semester.
New Leadership and Increased Staffing in University Police
Earlier this month, Arnold Vasquez was appointed as chief of police for the University Police Department (UPD), Southern Command after serving for several months as the interim leader. Chief Vasquez has demonstrated exceptional and collaborative leadership, and he and his team have already developed a strategic plan for UPD to elevate the department’s community outreach and problem solving, hiring and retention, and training and staff development.
Notably, UPD has created a Community Outreach and Problem Solving (COPS) team that unifies the department’s homeless outreach and problem-solving units. This team will prioritize partnerships with student organizations, academic units, and local groups to address concerns and elevate awareness and training.
UPD also continues its efforts to increase staffing. Since Dec. 6, 2023, the department has hired 13 officers, with five more expected this month and six additional recruits expected to begin police academy training this summer. The department has also added more than 20 key support staff, including safety officers, student cadets, dispatchers, and emergency management and administrative personnel.
All of these measures underscore our university community’s dedication to our institution and to one another despite the uncertainty in the wider environment, which is our source of strength. While we still have much to accomplish, I have full confidence that by working together we’ll meet every challenge that lies ahead.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with all of you to help guide UNLV forward during this important time for our university and our nation.
Warm wishes,
Chris Heavey
Officer in Charge