Utah Valley University classes resume after Charlie Kirk shooting

(NewsNation) — Students will return to Utah Valley University on Wednesday, one week after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a campus event.

All in-person and online classes will resume Wednesday, according to the university.

University employees, including student workers, returned to campus Monday. The school said hourly employees will be paid for work missed while the campus was closed. Parking and dining services also reopened Monday, while student services, such as financial aid and advising, became available Tuesday.  

Mental health counselors will be on campus, the university said, and students have been offered free virtual counseling.

“UVU is committed to the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and community visitors. Historically, UVU has been ranked as one of the safest universities in the country," the school said. "UVU will be implementing increased security on campus as we heal from this tragic event, and we are committed to returning to the safety for which the university is known."

A vigil is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. local time on campus, the university said, to give the community a space to "come together in remembering, healing, and reaffirming shared values."

Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA and an ally of President Donald Trump, was shot while speaking at an event in the campus courtyard. Kirk was widely credited with energizing young Republican voters and playing a key role in Trump’s 2024 presidential victory.

The university was evacuated following the shooting, and classes were canceled Thursday and Friday.

Kirk's accused killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, made his first virtual court appearance Tuesday from the county jail, where he remains held without bail. Prosecutors charged Robinson with seven separate counts and confirmed they would seek the death penalty.

NewsNation's Alex Caprariello and Nancy Loo contributed to this report.