University of Utah to Continue With Ute Nickname In Exchange For Scholarships for Tribal Members

In a new five-year-agreement with leaders of the Ute Indian Tribe, University of Utah states it will retain 'Ute' as the official name for sports teams. The Memorandum of Understanding signed by university leaders and the Ute Tribal Business Committee promises more recruiting options and financial assistance for tribe members.

Last year, Ute tribe business leaders said that the university need not pay to adopt the name but called for tuition waivers and formation of an advisory post for tribe members. The school has decided to establish scholarships and recruit a Ute tribe member to serve as an adviser to school administrators on American Indian affairs, Miami Herald reports.

"We have had scholarships in the past, but we want to improve that where we'll be more in touch with the young Utes so that as they grow and mature, they can want to come to the university and be eligible," said Michele Mattsson, vice chair of the University Of Utah Board Of Trustees. "So we're going to work on that too, to actually expand the program for Utes as well as other Native Americans," upr reports.

In 2012-2013 academic year, just 171 of its 31,520 students represented American Indians, making them the smallest minority group on campus.

The terms and conditions of the agreement will be reviewed annually.

The agreement states that admissions workers will assist tribe students in college application process, players will visit students on the reservation and will also sport special jerseys to honor the tribe and the University authorities has promised creation of more summer camps and other youth programs on campus and the reservation.

The Ute tribe has also urged the University to launch an educational campaign to increase the students and fans' understanding of the tribe's history.

Mattsson said that MoU further strengthens the relationship between the two parties.

"I think really just honoring us by allowing us to use their name, to me that's a wonderful thing they're giving us," Mattsson said. "And I think the chance to have the relationship with them is a wonderful gift that they're giving to us."

In 2005, the NCAA prohibited universities and colleges to use American Indian symbols and nicknames, with the exception of University of Utah, Central Michigan University and Florida State Seminoles.