University of Houston Forms Safety Task Force in Response to Recent Campus Crime Surge | Houston Public Media

Recently, University of Houston President Renu Khator formed a task force to improve safety on campus. This decision comes in response to several alarming incidents, including a robbery at gunpoint near the Welcome Center garage, and reports of a sexual assault and two other robberies in the same area.

The university police have increased patrols, especially around the Welcome Center. The new task force aims to further enhance safety measures.

The task force includes:

• Holley Love, President of the Faculty Senate
• Karl Hearne, President of the Staff Council
• Diego Arriaga, President of the Student Government Association
• Olga Botwinick, Medical Student
• Todd Romero, Associate Professor, Department of History
• Dennis Reynolds, Dean, Conrad N. Hilton College
• Jeff Morgan, Associate Provost of Education Innovation and Technology

The task force had its first meeting in late February and plans to complete its work in about a month. To assist in their efforts, the university has also hired a well-known security consulting firm to evaluate their safety measures.

Students and faculty are encouraged to share their ideas for enhancing safety. Input can be sent to Holley Love or Karl Hearne via email.

More than 100 students recently protested on campus, demanding that the university prioritize their safety. They marched with signs, voicing their frustrations. One student at the protest, Shay Russell, expressed concern. She stated that simply adding police would not resolve the issue.

“More police would not have prevented these violent incidents,” she said. “What we need are proactive solutions, not just reactive ones.”

Houston Public Media is affiliated with the University of Houston System, but the two operate independently in terms of editorial decisions.