The University of Utah and the Ute Indian Tribe renewed a memorandum of understanding on Aug. 28 to recommit to a decades-long partnership that allows the university's sports teams to continue using the "Utes" name. The agreement, which includes expanded scholarship terms and new healthcare initiatives, formalizes a relationship between the university and the sovereign nation that has existed for over 50 years.
Expanded Scholarship Opportunities
Under the terms of the 2026 memorandum of understanding, scholarship opportunities for Ute Indian students will see significant increases. While students previously received up to $8,000 annually, the new agreement allows for $6,000 per semester, totaling up to $18,000 per year. These funds will be applied directly to tuition, with any remaining balance refunded to the student.
In a shift from previous policies, scholarship determinations will no longer be based exclusively on membership in the Ute Tribe, which is currently measured by a 5/8 blood quantum rule. Instead, qualifying students must submit a letter from the Ute Tribal Business Committee. To ensure transparency, the university's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid will provide the Tribal Education Department with anonymized reports regarding the number of scholarships and the amounts awarded.
Healthcare and Education Support
The partnership also extends into healthcare and community engagement. At the request of the Tribe, U of U Health will send mobile clinics—including the Wellness Bus, Mobile Dental Clinic, and Mobile Cancer Screening Clinic—to the Ute Indian Reservation in the Uinta Basin up to three times annually.
Additionally, the university will continue to provide $100,000 annually to support tribal education programs, a total investment that could reach $500,000 over the five-year term of the memorandum of understanding. This support bolsters existing programs such as the Indigenous Storytelling Camp, IndigeSTEAM, and the Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement.
A Decades-Long Partnership
The university's relationship with the Ute Indian Tribe dates back to 1972, acknowledging historical ties to the land where the university is situated. The first formal memorandum of understanding was signed in 2003, with renewals occurring approximately every five years.
To facilitate deeper collaboration, the agreement includes provisions for specialized advisors. President Taylor Randall will have approved special advisors on Native American Affairs, and at least two members of the Ute Tribal Business Committee will serve as advisors to the Center for Native Excellence.
Athletics and Cultural Respect
The agreement maintains the university's use of the "Utes" name, a practice supported by the tribe since the 1970s. Athletics director Mark Harlan stated that the university understands the significant responsibility of using the name and looks forward to honoring the tribe with respect.
To support this, the university will continue the Ute Proud campaign to educate fans against inappropriate behavior toward Native American populations. Each football season, the university designates a Ute Proud game to honor the tribe's culture, featuring traditional dances by members of the Northern Ute Tribe and specially designed helmets for players.
Ongoing Tribal Engagement
The university also continues to invest in living-learning communities for Native students, such as the Native Ascent House, which opened on Sept. 3 on Officers Circle in Fort Douglas. Lori McDonald, vice president of Student Affairs, described the agreement as a unique example of a state university working in collaboration with a sovereign nation.
