USU Fulfills All Requirements of 2020 Department of Justice Resolution Agreement

Utah State University has officially fulfilled all provisions of the 2020 Resolution Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. The DOJ has issued a formal notice confirming the university has fulfilled every requirement of the agreement and noted it “appreciates the university’s commitment to providing a working and learning environment free from sexual harassment and the University’s efforts to improve its prevention of and response to sexual harassment.”

“This marks an important moment for our university,” said Utah State University Interim President Alan Smith. “Completing the agreement reflects years of effort and collaboration across our campuses to strengthen policies, training and support systems. Most importantly, it represents our ongoing commitment to fostering an environment where every member of our community is respected.”

Since entering into the agreement in 2020, USU has made sweeping changes across policies, training, campus culture and organizational structure. The university revised its sexual misconduct, grievance and reporting policies and clarified employee responsibilities for reporting and supportive measures.

Training and education efforts expanded significantly, with mandatory in-person sessions for incoming residential students, annual online training for continuing students, and specialized instruction for athletics personnel, student-athletes, confidential resources, and employees involved in the Title IX process.

To strengthen campus climate, USU conducted regular climate surveys and launched awareness and culture-building campaigns such as the “Upstanding” bystander intervention program and the “Start by Believing” initiative. The university also expanded advocacy and supportive resources for those who report misconduct.

Oversight and reporting systems were enhanced through a centralized online reporting hub, streamlined procedures, and consistent compliance reporting to the DOJ. The university formalized coordination between the Civil Rights and Title IX Office and Athletics through memoranda of understanding, reinforcing accountability and shared responsibility.

Athletics programs received particular attention, with updated handbooks and policies, stronger leadership messaging, and clearer processes for interim measures. These efforts were designed to improve climate and address specific challenges identified within sports programs.

The university also invested in additional staffing and created task forces and advisory committees to ensure ongoing oversight, continuity and input from across the campus community. Together, these structural changes reflect a broad commitment to sustaining the reforms that brought the agreement to completion.

“Finalizing this agreement underscores the accountability we have built into our policies and practices,” said Cody Carmichael, USU’s Title IX Coordinator. “Our systems not only meet federal standards but offer a consistency that has built trust across campus and continues to evolve to meet the needs of our community.”

More information about USU's agreement with the DOJ is available at https://www.usu.edu/sexual-respect/resolution.