When it comes to campus safety, few decisions carry as much weight as where an event takes place. Venue selection is more than just reserving a room or outdoor space—it is a critical part of the overall safety strategy. Mark Hall, president of Spelman Johnson, continued his conversation with two leaders in this space: Temple University Chief of Police and Vice President for Public Safety Dr. Jennifer D. Griffin, and University of Colorado Boulder Vice Chancellor for Public Safety Marlon Lynch.
Lynch explains, “Each event or request for an event is assessed on its own merit with history and information along with it. When we talk about keynote speakers, or those who go from campus to campus, it’s good to have that information regarding what has been the history of their speeches, the topics, what has been the impact? Are the speakers themselves targets?”
“That drives the staffing numbers and the levels of security as well.”
Venue is not about limiting opportunities; it’s about enabling them to happen safely.
“Part of the [planning] process is not to say no,” Lynch said. “It is to facilitate a safe event.”
Watch more of Lynch’s comments here.
For example, if 500 attendees are expected, the selected space must be able to safely accommodate that number – and your campus safety and facilities teams are the experts when it comes to space planning.
The process of choosing a venue should be deliberate and transparent.
“There are lots of variables that go into a structured event management process,” Lynch said.
He said that UC Boulder uses a matrix to help determine security staffing levels, venue location and threat level. Concerts, high-profile speakers, and student-led protests alike are run through the same lens: what venue provides the safest environment for the event and the surrounding community?
These assessments also guide when and how external partners are involved. Lynch pointed out that some events—like football games—automatically require municipal or federal support because of the scale. But for speakers or demonstrations, the decision comes down to what the threat assessment reveals and how the venue factors into staffing and security needs.
For Griffin, the choice of space is about more than the event itself.
“It’s our job to create a space for [students, faculty and staff] to be safe [during the event],” Griffin said, “and for students to get to class, and for faculty and staff to do their work.”
Watch more of Griffin’s comments here.
The safety of an event venue is inseparable from the daily rhythms of campus life.
Ultimately, choosing the right venue is both art and science. It requires gathering the right people around the table, analyzing data and intelligence, and asking the right questions.
- Is the venue big enough?
- Does it allow for secure entry and exit?
- What are the implications for the surrounding campus?
The goal is always the same: to create an environment where events can proceed safely, where expression is protected, and where the broader university community can continue to thrive.
In campus safety, space isn’t neutral—it’s strategy.
This blog is a part of the Safe Campuses, Strong Communities: A Campus Safety Blog Series
Campus safety is complex, ever-changing, and deeply collaborative. In this series, Safe Campuses, Strong Communities, we explore how universities can create environments that are both open and secure. Through conversations with campus safety leaders, we look at the policies, spaces, and partnerships that help student affairs administrators and their colleagues prepare for challenges while supporting vibrant campus life.