Utah Valley University will close its campus on Sept. 10, 2026, one year after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated in the university’s central courtyard. New UVU President Jon Anderson said the closure recognizes that students, faculty and staff may experience trauma and grief differently. He also pledged that the public university will continue hosting open, peaceful debate while remaining politically neutral.
Anderson said two of his daughters and a son-in-law were near the shooting when it occurred in 2025. A memorial organized by Turning Point USA is scheduled for the anniversary, while a separate university-backed process is considering whether a permanent memorial should be established.
Article Subheadings
| 1) | Campus closure marks one year since the shooting |
|---|---|
| 2) | New president brings a personal connection to the tragedy |
| 3) | Memorial plans leave room for reflection and healing |
| 4) | University reaffirms commitment to free speech |
| 5) | Accused killer faces pending court proceedings |
Campus closure marks one year since the shooting
UVU plans to close its Orem, Utah, campus on Sept. 10, 2026, the first anniversary of the shooting that killed Charlie Kirk during a Turning Point USA event. Anderson said the decision reflects the varied ways people respond to traumatic events. Some individuals may react immediately, while others may experience a delayed emotional response.
The university is not organizing an official anniversary program. Instead, the closure is intended to give students, employees and other members of the campus community space to process the anniversary privately or with others. Anderson said the institution wants people to approach healing with empathy and respect.
New president brings a personal connection to the tragedy
Jon Anderson became UVU’s president shortly before the fall 2026 semester after serving as president of Pennsylvania Western University. He was in that previous role when Charlie Kirk was shot on Sept. 10, 2025, but his family has longstanding ties to Utah.
Anderson said his wife notified him of the shooting and that two of his daughters and a son-in-law were approximately 10 yards from the scene. He described that experience as creating a personal connection to the university’s future and influencing his decision to return to Utah and help UVU move forward.
“When the opportunity came up to come home and help this institution move forward and heal, it’s something I leaned into immediately.”
Memorial plans leave room for reflection and healing
Turning Point USA, which was founded by Charlie Kirk, plans to hold a memorial at UVU’s UCCU Center at 6:30 p.m. Mountain Time on Sept. 10. Anderson said the university is supporting the group’s use of campus space while allowing individuals to remember the killing in their own way.
A separate group of board members and students is examining the possibility of a permanent memorial. The group is consulting different voices and reviewing how other institutions have addressed similar situations. Anderson said no timetable has been guaranteed and that any memorial would be designed carefully and placed thoughtfully.
University reaffirms commitment to free speech
Anderson said UVU will remain politically neutral and apolitical while continuing to provide room for competing viewpoints. His stated goal is to support civil dialogue, open discussion and debate without violence. The approach is intended to benefit students by exposing them to ideas they may not share.
He characterized the university’s role as providing a setting where people can bring different perspectives and discuss them honestly. That policy, he said, does not require the institution to endorse the views presented. Instead, it places responsibility on the university to maintain a safe environment for debate.
“We don’t jump in the fray, but we host the frays.”
Accused killer faces pending court proceedings
The alleged shooter, 23-year-old Tyler Robinson, pleaded not guilty through his attorneys at an arraignment on Sept. 1, nearly one year after his arrest. He is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 23.
Judge Tony Graf Jr. could set a trial date at that hearing. If convicted of the top aggravated murder charge, Tyler Robinson could face the death penalty. Charlie Kirk was 31 and married with two children when he was killed.
Key Points
| 1 | UVU will close on Sept. 10, 2026, the first anniversary of the shooting. |
|---|---|
| 2 | President Jon Anderson said family members were near the scene in 2025. |
| 3 | Turning Point USA plans an anniversary memorial at the UCCU Center. |
| 4 | The university is considering a possible permanent memorial. |
| 5 | The accused shooter has pleaded not guilty and is due back in court Oct. 23. |
Summary
Utah Valley University is combining a campus closure with support for independent memorial activity as it approaches the first anniversary of Charlie Kirk‘s assassination. The university’s new president has emphasized compassion for those affected while reaffirming UVU’s role as a politically neutral institution that protects peaceful debate. The case against Tyler Robinson remains pending, with another court hearing scheduled for October.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is UVU closing its campus?
UVU plans to close on Sept. 10, 2026, to recognize the first anniversary of the shooting and give members of the campus community space to respond to the trauma in their own ways.
Will UVU hold an official memorial?
The university is not hosting an official anniversary event. Turning Point USA plans to hold its own memorial at the UCCU Center, while a separate group is studying a possible permanent memorial.
What is the status of the criminal case?
The accused, Tyler Robinson, pleaded not guilty through his attorneys. He is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 23, when a trial date could be considered.
