Photo courtesy of Utah State University
Photo courtesy of Utah State University Photo courtesy of Utah State University

LOGAN, Utah — The Utah Legislature's audit arm is launching a comprehensive review into Utah State University (USU) following a preliminary probe that uncovered possible excessive spending and weak oversight by senior leadership.

A limited assessment conducted earlier this year revealed that between mid-2023 and mid-2024, USU's executive compartment approved large contracts—some as high as $430,000—without completing the institution's required procurement protocols. The review also flagged a dramatic rise in vehicle purchases by the president's office—approximately three times higher than the previous five-year average.

Then-President Elizabeth "Betsy" Cantwell, who stepped down in March to assume leadership at another university, was linked with more than $660,000 in expenditures over a short term—including multiple new vehicles, a Salt Lake City apartment and luxe office upgrades such as a $750 bidet.

Board Oversight and Governance Questions

The audit report voiced concern that USU's board of trustees "may not be providing sufficient oversight on key procurement and administrative matters." Lawmakers unanimously approved moving the investigation into a full audit, citing what an oversight official described as a "culture of policy noncompliance."

What's at Stake

The timing is especially sensitive: USU faces mandated budget cuts of $12.6 million this year as the state grapples with higher education cost pressures. Reduced oversight and unchecked spending could undermine the university's financial position and public trust at a critical juncture.

More broadly, the audit at USU is part of a statewide push: the Utah System of Higher Education is conducting parallel audits of all eight public colleges and universities to uncover potential policy gaps around presidential expenditures.

Next Steps

The full audit will probe procurement practices, executive expenditures, purchase-card usage and alignment with university policy. Lawmakers expect findings later this year, which could trigger new governance requirements across the state's higher-edu sector.

With scrutiny mounting, the governance changes at USU and the forthcoming audit could serve as a blueprint—or warning—for other public universities under fiscal pressure.