USU’s Title IX director removed from position

Utah State University Title IX director Stacy Sturgeon will no longer serve in her position. The role will temporarily be filled by Scott Bodily, a Title IX specialist and former detective with the Logan City Police Department.

The announcement was made Wednesday by USU President Noelle Cockett, and came via email to all USU students.

The announcement comes after the investigation into USU’s piano program released its findings earlier this month. On April 6, in response to the report, Cockett announced “leadership changes” within the Title IX office.

In the email, Cockett said “more changes are planned for the AA/EO Office,” which will include hiring additional staff and a “prevention specialist.”

“These changes will help us more effectively prevent future sexual misconduct and discrimination, thereby enhancing the safety of our campus,” the email states.

The change comes while the university is in the midst of an investigation by the United States Department of Justice, and has come under fire for its reported mishandling of several high-profile sexual assault cases, including that of former USU football player Torrey Green, former Sigma Chi fraternity member Jason Relopez and a slew of gender-based complaints made against faculty members of USU’s piano program.

“I value the well-being of everyone in our campus community. Utah State University offers several resources to help those who have experienced sexual misconduct,” Cockett said in the email.

In the email Cockett also said the university will be providing updates in coming months on their continued efforts to respond to the final investigation report on the USU piano program. The report addressed issues of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment and gender discrimination.