What was supposed to be a straightforward spring Career and Internship Fair at Utah Valley University turned into a flashpoint on Wednesday, after students learned that U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Border Patrol would be on the recruiter list. In response, members of UVU's Civil Disobedience Club organized a large sit-in, planning to fill the hall across from the Sorensen Center's Grande Ballroom, with the UVU Plaza designated as overflow space. Organizers instructed participants to keep the action peaceful and to avoid blocking any building entrances.
Students organize sit-in at the Sorensen Center
The Civil Disobedience Club called on students to gather for a sit-in across from the Grande Ballroom and, as interest grew, arranged for the UVU Plaza to serve as backup space, according to KJZZ. The group used its posts to spell out ground rules, urging students to stay seated during the demonstration and to steer clear of blocking entrances and exits so the building could continue operating.
University response and CBP confirmation
UVU officials said the university was "aware of the campus community concerns" about the recruiter lineup and confirmed that the federal presence would come from Customs and Border Protection agents, not Immigration and Customs Enforcement, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. The school also noted that participating employers have the right to advertise job and internship opportunities on campus and added that it was monitoring the situation around the event.
Career fair logistics and who will be there
According to UVU's Career & Internship Center, the Spring Career and Internship Fair is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Sorensen Center's Grande Ballroom. Local coverage lists employers including America First Credit Union, Jordan School District, Quick Quack Car Wash, and Buckle, and notes that CBP's Border Patrol was listed for the Salt Lake City region and expected to attend strictly as a recruiter and in plain clothes, as reported by KJZZ.
Security questions linger
Questions about how UVU handles security for large gatherings have been more pointed since last fall, when a fatal shooting occurred at a political event. Coverage of that case sparked calls to reassess how the university secures big events on campus. Reporting on the ongoing investigation has added pressure on officials to coordinate closely with campus safety ahead of the fair, according to KUTV.
Organizers' ground rules and recruitment context
Student organizers repeatedly stressed that the sit-in should stay peaceful and should not disrupt the fair itself. Their messages asked participants to remain seated where possible and to leave pathways and entrances open. Media reports have also underscored that CBP personnel are slated to attend in a recruiting capacity for a hiring event, not to conduct law-enforcement operations on campus.
What to know: UVU's Career and Internship Fair is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Sorensen Center's Grande Ballroom. The university has said it is aware of community concerns and is monitoring the situation, and a visible security presence is expected at the event, according to official statements and media reporting.
