A student-initiated petition at Utah Valley University (UVU) has collected more than 2,000 signatures opposing a proposed on-campus memorial for Charlie Kirk. The petition organizers argue the memorial, backed by state politicians, does not align with the university's mission of inclusion and fails to represent the entire student body.
Key Takeaways
- A student petition at Utah Valley University opposing a memorial for Charlie Kirk has gained over 2,000 signatures.
- A separate fundraiser for the memorial, supported by state lawmakers, has raised more than $90,000.
- Petitioners cite concerns that the proposed memorial is politically motivated and does not reflect UVU's inclusive values.
- The university has stated it is working with students and the community to develop an appropriate long-term memorial plan.
Student Opposition and Core Concerns
The movement against the memorial is led by UVU senior Mary Jackson and junior Emma Thatcher. They launched the petition following the announcement of a fundraising effort to create a permanent tribute to Charlie Kirk on the Orem campus.
Jackson, who was present during the violent event that led to Kirk's death, emphasized the personal nature of the students' grief. "We wrote this petition, knowing that we’re coming from a place of experience and we are grieving very intimately with the people who were there," she stated.
The core of their opposition centers on the university's identity. Thatcher referenced UVU's mission statement, which emphasizes inclusion, to explain her position. "I don’t feel like it accurately represents the values that UVU stands for," she said. The students are particularly concerned about the memorial's origins.
"It was a fundraiser that was started by political representatives, and I really want it to be about UVU," Thatcher added.
Background on the Incident
The proposal for a memorial follows a violent incident on the UVU campus where Charlie Kirk was assassinated. Student Mary Jackson recounted the experience, stating, "I heard the gunshot. I was running with the crowds, with everyone else." This event has deeply affected the campus community, making the nature of any memorial highly sensitive.
Fundraising Efforts and Support for the Memorial
While the petition shows significant opposition, there is also considerable support for establishing a memorial. A fundraising campaign sponsored by State Senator Dan McCay and other Republican lawmakers has successfully raised over $90,000 for the project.
Many on campus believe a tribute is necessary to honor Kirk's memory at the location of the tragedy. Hallie Landingin, a sophomore at UVU, expressed this sentiment clearly. "I think it would only be right to have a memorial here where he was assassinated," she said.
This financial support from political figures has become a central point of contention for the petition's organizers, who argue it introduces a partisan element into what they believe should be a unifying campus decision.
Financial Momentum
The fundraiser for the proposed memorial has amassed more than $90,000. In contrast, the student-led petition against it has garnered over 2,000 signatures, highlighting the divided opinions within the university community.
Revised Memorial Concepts Emerge
In response to the ongoing campus dialogue, Senator McCay recently shared revised concepts for the memorial. The new designs notably do not include a likeness or statue of Charlie Kirk. Instead, the proposed artwork features a more abstract and symbolic arrangement.
The concept includes:
- Two chairs
- A small table
- A Bible
- A microphone
This shift in design may be an attempt to address concerns about creating a political monument. However, it is unclear if this change will satisfy the students who are advocating for a more collaborative design process from the outset.
A Call for a Collaborative and Healing Process
The student petitioners have been clear that they are not against the idea of a memorial in principle. Their primary goal is to ensure that any tribute is a product of a unified campus effort that includes student voices, rather than being imposed by external political interests.
Mary Jackson stressed the need for a non-partisan approach that can help the community heal. "We want this to not come across as a partisan statement – but, in fact, as one that heals," she explained.
The students are advocating for university leadership to facilitate a process that involves the entire student body in deciding what form a memorial should take. They want a solution that honors the memory of the event without creating further division on campus.
University Acknowledges Community Concerns
Utah Valley University's administration is aware of the differing views on campus. In a previous official statement, the university acknowledged the need for a thoughtful approach to memorialization.
The statement confirmed that the university is "collaborating with the student body and wider community to develop an appropriate long-term memorial plan.” This indicates that the final decision has not yet been made and that student feedback, including the petition, will likely be a factor in the path forward. The outcome will depend on how the university balances the input from students, faculty, and external stakeholders like the state lawmakers involved in the fundraising.