Brigham Young University. Security Office

The Security Office was created to protect students, faculty, and staff on campus. It was also charged with regulating traffic and vehicular registration on campus and with provided fingerprinting and other on campus services. In 1972 the office was renamed BYU Security. The first administrator of the BYU Security Office was Leonard E. Christensen (1952-1961), followed by Swen C. Nielsen (1961-1972).

Variant names

Brigham Young University. Department of Campus Security

Brigham Young University. Dean of Students. Security Office

Brigham Young University. Department of Physical Plant. Security Office

Description

Established: 1952

Abolished: 1972

Location: Provo, Utah (1952-1972)

Functions

The BYU Security Office was charged with protecting campus personnel and students along with enforcing traffic and parking regulations. In 1956, the BYU Security Office began to run a lost and found service. The Security Office also acted as a liaison with local police and provided fingerprinting services. In 1957, the BYU Security Office began to run a campus ambulance service.

Assets and Administrative Structure

The BYU Security Office operated under the Dean of Students until 1960. After 1960 it was a subdivision of the Department of Physical Plant. The administrator of the Security Office was initially the Captain of Campus Security. However, in 1961 the title became "Chief of the Security Office." From 1952-1961, the city of Provo paid half of the Captain's salary.

There were three committees associated with the Security Office: BYU Security, Committee to Formulate Plans for Emergencies, and Security Advisement. From 1968-1969, this/these committee(s) sought to maintain the security of the BYU campus in case of disturbances from groups outside.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Special Services (1952-1955)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Student Personnel Services (1955-1960)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. Physical Plant Dept. (1960-1972)

Subordinate unit: Brigham Young University. Traffic Dept. (1955-1958)

Subordinate unit: Brigham Young University. University Traffic Dept. (1960)

Later unit: BYU Security (1972)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. University Traffic and Safety Committee (1968-1972)

Associated Archival Materials

Wesley P. Lloyd collection (UA 183, Box 11)

Sources

Wilkinson, Ernest L. & Arrington, Leonard J., eds. Brigham Young University: the first hundred years, vol. 3, (Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1976), p. 269 (Department of Campus Security; Security Office; Leonard E. Christensen; 1952); p.270 (Swen Nielsen; Chief; Department of Physical Plant)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog Issue 1955-1956, p. 101 (functions, Traffic Department)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog Issue 1956-1957, p. 111 (lost and found)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog Issue 1960-1961, p. 83 (fingerprinting)

Brigham Young University General Catalog of Courses 1972-1973, p. 68 (BYU Security)

Hatch, Ephraim & Miller, Karl Brigham Young University: a history of the campus and of the department of Physical Plant, 1875-1975, (Provo, UT: Physical Facilities Division, 2001), p. 98 (ambulance service)

Brigham Young University President's Records, 1949-1975 (existence, relation, and function of BYU Security/Security Advisement Committee) (UA 1086)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2010-00016

LCCN: nr 95014453

Creator: UPB