1+ hour, 11+ min ago (375+ words) Continuing to lean into artificial intelligence rather than fight against it, the University of Utah last week launched OpenAI's ChatGPT Edu " a version of the AI tool specifically designed for higher education and securely deployed for university use " across its campus community. Every U. student, faculty and staff member can now request access to the tool via the U.'s IT Service Catalog, and they'll receive an email with login instructions. "We've been steadily building a foundation for responsible AI across campus, and ChatGPT Edu represents a major leap forward," Manish Parashar, chief AI officer at the U., said. "The U. is at the forefront of reimagining how we teach, learn and research in the age of generative AI, and ChatGPT Edu will help us maintain an edge. "We're excited for our community to use this tool in a way that's secure, optimized for…...

1+ day, 3+ hour ago (262+ words) Readers" Forum: Learning to thrive again " the aftermath of Charlie Kirk at UVU Sept. 10, 2025 was filled with many emotions for the students of Utah Valley University. The shooting and loss of Charlie Kirk had many impacts, both large and small, on the community of UVU, their families and friends, and those who loved Charlie. The moments following the incident were stressful, chaotic and overall fearful. However, UVU combated these problems with poise and hope for a brighter future. Over the span of a few weeks, the university sent out countless emails overviewing resources available to both students and faculty affected by the tragedy. The university even extended the drop deadline for those students who chose to leave school. When the students who continued their enrollment returned to campus, they were met with open arms and love from the administration and…...

2+ day, 15+ hour ago (647+ words) President Dallin H. Oaks recently said that he spent three of his four years as a BYU student wondering what career he should take. In other words, the church's future president was the same as many college students who struggle to discover what they are meant to do. The lesson to learn from his experience was enhanced for me as I listened to him talk in this video with his successor as the university's president, President Jeffrey R. Holland. "I felt as I enrolled at BYU that I was going to be a doctor," President Oaks said. "My father had been a medical doctor and I took a zoology class as a freshman, and I wasn't more than a few weeks into that zoology class when I realized I wasn't cut out to be a doctor. I spent the next three years…...

3+ day, 16+ hour ago (707+ words) It's been a year marked by well-publicized uncertainty, visa hold-ups and deportation fears " but international students remain keen on enrolling in Utah universities. The public University of Utah and the private Brigham Young University continue to be popular destinations for thousands of degree-seeking students from outside the United States. And that same enthusiasm for Beehive State campuses appears to be extending to traditionally regional institutions, such as Utah Tech University. Many across the country's higher education community worried there would be sizable dips in international enrollment following a series of events this year impacting foreign students " including the Trump administration's decision requiring student visa applicants to make their social media profiles public. And earlier this year, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement temporarily revoked the legal status of hundreds of international students " including several studying at Utah colleges and universities. But…...

5+ day, 20+ hour ago (623+ words) The Utah Board of Higher Education recently released its annual report highlighting developments over a year marked by systemic disruption and change " even while looking ahead to future challenges and opportunities. "This past year has been one of meaningful progress for Utah's higher education system," wrote board Chair Amanda Covington. "The Utah Board of Higher Education has worked closely with our presidents, Commissioner (Geoffrey) Landward, and partners across the state to support initiatives that keep higher education affordable, accessible, and aligned with Utah's long-term needs." Added Landward: "Students are earning more credentials than ever before, institutions are innovating to meet Utah's workforce needs, and faculty and staff continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to their communities. "These are not just statistics; they represent lives changed, families strengthened, and the state's future being built one student at a time." Perhaps the…...

6+ day, 20+ hour ago (896+ words) CINCINNATI " During the past academic year, more than 2,200 students, staff and faculty at the University of Cincinnati have visited the Bearcats Pantry to receive assistance for food insecurity. Associate Dean of Students Daniel S. Cummins founded the pantry in 2016, working since then to grow the on-campus resource center in order to support those in the Bearcats community who are going without basic human needs. This past Friday, the pantry received the largest food donation in its history. It came from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which sent a truckload of 27,000 pounds of food to the Bearcats Pantry. The donation arrived on campus just ahead of Cincinnati's Saturday home football game against BYU, which is sponsored and operated by the church. "I haven't had a donation like this from any kind of organization. Receiving this from a Big 12 community…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (708+ words) The Granite School District Board of Education on Tuesday night unanimously voted to indefinitely suspend the study looking into closing two eastside elementary schools. For now " Eastwood Elementary, 3305 S. Wasatch Blvd. in Millcreek, and Morningside Elementary, 4170 S. 3000 East in Holladay " are safe from closure. The decision was met with raucous cheers from community members attending the meeting, many of whom spoke against the closure recommendation during a public hearing that lasted well over an hour. "I've said a couple of times throughout the study that I was uncertain about the closure recommendations this time around because the schools involved seem to be succeeding despite their small size," board member Kim Chandler said. "This stands in stark contrast to previous studies and last year, as an example, one of the schools that they closed in particular was definitely struggling. Morningside and Eastwood, however,…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (551+ words) A federal judge in Texas temporarily ordered the removal of the Ten Commandments posters from schools in several districts in the state, following a lawsuit by a group of parents who argued that the poster infringes on their religious liberty. The preliminary injunction, issued on Tuesday, requires the schools to remove the posters by Dec. 1 and bars them from displaying new ones. U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia wrote that "displaying the Ten Commandments on the wall of a public-school classroom as set forth in S.B. 10 violates the establishment clause." He added that it was "impractical, if not impossible, to prevent Plaintiffs from being subjected to unwelcome religious displays without enjoining Defendants from enforcing S.B. 10 across their districts." The preliminary injunction that's part of the Cribbs Ringer v. Comal Independent School District lawsuit will affect 14 school districts, including the Fort Worth, Arlington, McKinney, Frisco, Northwest,…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (180+ words) Throughout the yearlong celebration, BYU continues its mission to nurture divine light in its students Church News podcast: BYU celebrates 150 years with "gifts of light," featuring President C. Shane Reese and Vice President Keith Vorkink Throughout the yearlong celebration, BYU continues its mission to nurture divine light in its students In recognition of Brigham Young University"s 150th anniversary and its sesquicentennial theme of "Celebrating Gifts of Light" (see Doctrine and Covenants 50:24), students, faculty and alumni are invited to perform 150 hours of service each. Throughout the yearlong celebration, BYU continues its mission to nurture divine light in its students, who then share the Light of Jesus Christ with the world by honoring the past and envisioning the future. On this episode of the Church News podcast, BYU President C. Shane Reese and BYU Advancement Vice President Keith Vorkink join reporter Mary Richards. They…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (994+ words) During the first pandemic summer and soon after George Floyd's murder, the BYU football team held a players-only meeting. The college students wanted to add messages to their uniforms or warm-up clothing like other teams and players. The issue was agreeing on a message to meet the moment without adding to the controversy swirling around Black Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter or diversity, equity and inclusion. "With their own inspiration, they came up with what was a perfect solution," former BYU President Kevin Worthen said Tuesday during a panel discussion of past and present university presidents. That fall, the football team wore, to national acclaim, warm-up shirts that said "We are one" on the front and "Love One Another" on the back. "It was a great example of people receiving inspiration following gospel principles here on campus," Worthen said. BYU…...