Utah State University denied full funding based off spending of previous president
Dec 10, 2025, 10:00 PM | Updated: Feb 19, 2026, 1:14 pm
Students walk on the Utah State University campus in Logan on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
(Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
LOGAN — Utah State University was denied full funding for a second time after presenting its new budget reinvestment plan.
During an Executive Appropriations Committee meeting, new USU President Brad Mortensen presented a revised version of the school’s budget, including several changes previously requested by the committee.
House Speaker Mike Schultz then said they still had concerns while they were waiting for an audit into former Utah State president Elizabeth Cantwell’s spending.
“I do have some concerns about giving the full reallocation back until we understand what those concerns are in that audit,” Schultz said. “There were some things that we’re a little bit, made us really nervous, to be honest with you.”
While they waited for the audit, lawmakers unanimously approved 30% of the funding be sent back to the university and have asked Mortensen to present the school’s spending plan for a third time after the audit is released.
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