Brian Canavan has resigned as director of safety and security and will leave Lab on Sept. 29. An interim director will be appointed while the University of Chicago, in partnership with Lab, searches for a new director.
After a long career in law enforcement in Massachusetts, Mr. Canavan served as security director at an independent school there before starting at Lab in August 2022. During his time in the role, Mr. Canavan said he spearheaded multiple infrastructure improvements.
“I helped with including the fence surrounding Kenwood Mall and the new PA system,” he said. “I am really proud of being able to push those initiatives forward.”
Mr. Canavan said the decision to step back as director was sudden and difficult to make, and he is unsure of his future career.
“I’ve always loved the city of Chicago. It is what drove me out here, but my family is still back east in Boston,” he said.
Mr. Canavan said he advises students to continue to utilize the multiple safety tools Lab offers.
“Be conscious of your own safety, utilize the tremendous number of resources that are available to you,” he said. “You have the Lab Safe app now, you have the UChicago app, you have so many resources. When walking on campus at night, travel with a group, just those little things that make a huge difference.”
