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SALT LAKE CITY — A meeting negotiating the future use of the Ute name by the University of Utah was “fruitful and productive,” the university said.
Friday, U. of U. administration, alumni and students met with Ute Tribal leaders to discuss the use of the tribe’s name as the university’s mascot. The school and tribe have had a long-standing relationship concerning the name and drum and feather logo.
“It was a positive meeting and we’ll go forward from here,” said Valoree Dowell, U. of U. spokeswoman.
In the meeting, according to an April 22 Ute Business Committee resolution, the following were to be addressed:
- The creation of an Office of the Special Adviser to the President on American Indian Affairs, which will be headed by a member of the Ute Tribe.
- A switch from scholarships to tuition waivers for all Ute tribal members who attend the university.
“The University and Ute Tribal leaders will continue to work on a Memorandum of Understanding. When we have such an agreement in hand, we will release it to the public,” the statement read. “In the meantime, the University and Ute Indian Tribal leaders will continue to work together to ensure a strong and respectful relationship, in recognition of the special relationship that exists between the Ute Indian Tribe as a sovereign nation and the University of Utah.”
Monday, Dowell said no further information was available.
