I.   THE NATURE OF THE AGREEMENT

The Ute Indian Tribe encourages the University of Utah to use the Ute name for the University’s sports programs with its full support. The University recognizes that the Ute name is at the core of the cultural identity of the Tribe and its members, and that it constitutes an inseparable element of their rich cultural traditions. The University is honored to be allowed to continue to use the Ute name with due respect and integrity.

The Ute Indian Tribe acknowledges that its association with the University of Utah – the flagship institution of higher learning in the state of Utah – raises tribal visibility and community awareness and generates a source of pride to members of the Ute Indian Tribe. The Tribe desires to reaffirm the long and valued relationship between the University and the Tribe to promote educational benefits for its youth.

II.   GOALS OF THE UTE INDIAN TRIBE – UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RELATIONSHIP

The Ute Indian Tribe’s goals are two-fold: first, to build genuine respect and understanding of the Tribe’s history, culture and contributions to the state (past, current and future); and second, to have the University assist tribal members in helping t heir children lead healthy lives and be prepared to pursue a college education.

The University of Utah shares the Tribe’s interest in fostering a respectful and informed understanding of the Ute Indian Tribe, and, by extension, other American Indians. To that end, the University will use the Ute name in a considered and respectful manner, reflecting the pride and dignity of indigenous people and their traditions. The University will use its position as the flagship institution of higher education in the state of Utah to support that commitment.

In addition, the University will devote human and financial resources toward the Ute Indian Tribe and its members to encourage, inspire and support tribal youth to lead healthy lives and to pursue post-secondary education.

III.   AREAS OF UNDERSTANDING

• Permission to Use the Ute Name -- The Ute Indian Tribe reaffirms its permission for the University to continue its respectful use of the Ute name as a representative symbol of its athletics organizations.

• Education campaign -- The University will use the Ute name with honor and respect, and share that commitment with the larger community by:

  • Continuing to use the educational materials prepared by the University and approved by the Tribe that explain the Ute Indian history and the Ute Indian Tribe’s ongoing cultural and economic contributions to the state. These materials are intended to be used by the University during student orientation, in presentations for students, sports programs, in media guides, in the University’s Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement, and on University web pages, and other communications channels as appropriate.

  • Upon request, assisting the Tribe with in-kind staff support in the preparation of the Tribe’s educational and marketing print, video, and digital materials.

  • Widely disseminating standards for appropriate behavior to students, athletic fans, campus groups and the broader community. The Tribe shall have the opportunity to review and comment on such materials before they are disseminated.

  • Supporting and promoting campus events to raise awareness of American Indian culture, such as the annual campus Powwow and Native American Month.

• Educational Access

  • The University shall secure funding to support Ute Indian students and other federally recognized American Indian students while attending the University. The administration and use of the specific Ute scholarship category shall be determined by separate agreement between the Parties to this MOU, attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A.

  • During each year of the term of this MOU, the University shall provide the Ute Indian Tribe with One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) to support and enhance Tribal educational programs and opportunities.

  • Upon request, the University will assist the Tribal Educational Department to develop and provide programs which could include but are not limited to: college preparation and applications, mentorships, early childhood programs, tutors, summer programs, student support programs, etc.. The Tribe recognizes that the University does not itself have expertise in all fields but will be an active partner with the Tribe in helping identify resources to address these needs.

• Mobile Health Clinics -- Upon request from the Tribe, University of Utah Health will make up to three visits annually to the Ute Indian Reservation with its existing mobile clinics (Wellness Bus, Mobile Cancer Screening Clinic, Mobile Dental Clinic).

• Advisor/Advisory Board

  • The University shall appoint, with approval from the Ute Tribal Business Committee, one or more Special Advisors to the President on Native American Affairs. The advisor(s) will serve in an unpaid, part-time capacity to function as a liaison between the tribal leaders and University to address issues related to the University that may arise from time to time.

  • The Ute Tribal Business Committee shall appoint at least two members to the advisory board of the Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement. In addition, the Ute Tribal Business Committee will be invited to an annual meeting with the University President and other senior University administrators.

  • Separate from and in addition to the foregoing, the Task Force described in VII “Maintenance of the Agreement” below, will serve in an advisory capacity to the leadership for the respective Parties.

IV.   OUTREACH

• The University agrees to work with the Ute Indian Tribe to create enrichment and educational opportunities for Ute Indian Tribal Member youth, both on the Reservation and on the University campus, as appropriate and possible, including programs and activities as mutually agreed upon, such as the following:

  • Summer youth programs for students, which shall be housed on campus as well as on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, which may include interaction with students. Consistent with NCAA regulations and the availability of student athletes during the summer, these may include sports camps. At the request of the Tribe, they will also include STEM summer camps, either on campus or on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation.

  • Consistent with NCAA regulations, an annual opportunity for Tribal member youth to attend University of Utah sporting events and practices and meet players as a motivational outreach for the students.

  • The University will conduct regular outreach to Ute Scholarship recipients throughout the course of their matriculation to ensure they remain apprise of all resources available to support their health, safety, and academic success.

  • The University will continue to provide educational pathways services to Tribal students and their parents with the goal of increasing college attendance, pursuant to an action plan approved by the Task Force defined in Section VII.

  • Honoring Ute Indian Tribal Members through a Ute Indian Tribe designated design that will be incorporated into team uniforms at one home game annually in recognition of Native American Heritage Month. In addition, the Tribe shall have the right to have its Honor Guard bear the flags at the opening ceremony at one home game during Native American Heritage Month.

  • The University will consider other programs and activities recommended by the Task Force to enhance educational programs and promote academic successes.

• Academic support

  • The University will assist Ute Indian Tribal Member students and their families with application and admissions processes.

  • The University will provide support for Ute Indian Tribal Member students once on campus to enhance social, economic and academic success while attending the University.

  • The Tribe acknowledges and supports the University’s commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech on campus.

V.   OTHER PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES

• The University will continue the tradition of Ute Proud games during the football, basketball, and gymnastics seasons, including reserved seating for tribal members attending the games. The University will reserve seats that are easily accessible for Tribal elders.

• During the term of this Agreement, the Ute Indian Tribe will license to the University the use of the “Ute Proud” logo for all merchandise, and will authorize the University and its licensing partner (currently Collegiate Licensing Commpany) to protect the “Ute Proud” logo from pirated sales and other trademark violations. The terms of the assignment and license shall be memorialized in a separate agreement between the Parties to this MOU, attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit B.

• For each year of the term of this Agreement, University will keep, and make available to the Tribe upon request, statistics on the number of Ute scholarships awarded, the average scholarship award, the graduation rate of Ute scholarship recipients, and revenues derived from merchandise containing the “Ute Proud” logo.

VI.   THE PARTIES

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

The University of Utah is the flagship institution of higher learning in Utah. Founded in 1850, it serves more than 38,000 students from across the United States and the world. With more than 100 major subjects at the undergraduate level and over 90 major fields of study at the graduate level, including professional programs in law, medicine and dentistry, the University prepares students to live and compete in the global workplace.

The mission of the University of Utah is to drive unsurpassed societal impact by preparing students from diverse backgrounds to be leaders and global citizens who strengthen our society and democracy; generating and sharing new knowledge, discoveries and innovations that supercharge our economy and improve lives locally, nationally and globally; and engaging local, national and global communities to promote education, health and quality of life.

UTE INDIAN TRIBE

The state of Utah derives its name from the Ute Indian Tribe, a Federally recognized Tribe. The home of the Ute Indian Tribe is the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, located in Northeastern Utah (Fort Duchesne), approximately 150 miles east of Salt Lake City. The reservation is located within a three-county area known as the Uintah Basin. It is the second-largest Indian Reservation in the United States and covers over 4.5 million acres.

The Utes have a large membership with over half of the membership living on the Reservation. They operate their own tribal government and oversee approximately 1.3 million acres of trust land. The Utes also operate several businesses, including a supermarket, gas stations, bowling alley, tribal feedlot, Uinta River Technologies, Ute Tribal Enterprises LLC and Water Systems. Cattle raising and mining of oil and natural gas is big business on the reservation.

The Ute Indian Tribe is made up of three bands: the Uintah, the White River and the Uncompahgre. Two representatives from each of these bands are elected to serve four-year terms on the Tribal Business Committee, the governing body of the Tribe.

VII.   MAINTENANCE OF THE AGREEMENT

The parties acknowledge that this MOU is a public document and that each party will appoint a single representative to respond to inquiries on issues addressed in or affected by the MOU.

The parties to this MOU shall continue the joint Task Force composed of four members—two appointed by the Ute Tribal Business Committee and two appointed by the University of Utah. The Task Force shall oversee and implement the provisions set forth in this MOU and address ongoing student issues. The Taskforce will recommend meaningful activities and in-kind support including concrete, specific programs and activities for the parties to work together to fully realize. The Task Force shall make recommendations to the parties as to how the MOU might be improved based on its review, and the parties shall take appropriate action to implement the recommendations.

The parties agree to meet on, at a minimum, an annual basis at a mutually agreed upon date not more than one year from date of signature, to review activities, performance or satisfaction with the arrangement outlined in the MOU. Members of the Task Force may call special meetings of the Task Force upon two weeks written notice to all Members. Members may attend special Task Force meetings by remote means, including virtual conferencing programs or conference calls.

Any commitments are binding and if not fulfilled then either party reserves the right to terminate the agreement. Should terms of this agreement be violated, then the parties shall enter into a suspension period while the parties attempt to work out their differences and proceed with the terms of the MOU (the “Suspension Period”). During the Suspension Period, the University will not enter into any new agreements for the manufacture or licensing of products containing the Ute name and marks or create any new promotional materials utilizing the Ute name and marks. During the Suspension Period the University’s sports teams may continue use of the “Utes” name and the wearing apparel that bears Ute name and marks and the University may continue selling existing Utes branded merchandise.

The term of this Memorandum of Understanding is five (5) years from date of signing.

Ute MOU Extension Amendment