LOGAN — A Utah State University grievance committee did not agree about the termination of former Deputy Athletic Director Jerry Bovee, but USU’s Executive Vice President sided with the majority and upheld the decision, according to a newly released grievance committee decision obtained by Cache Valley Daily on Friday.
“I agree with and ratify the Committee’s decision that the University had adequate cause to terminate Mr. Bovee for his violations of USU Policy 340, and that the University did not violate USU Policy 311 or 399 in terminating Mr. Bovee,” wrote USU’s Provost, Executive Vice President Larry Smith in an Oct. 7 final decision.
On Oct. 17, Cache Valley Daily used the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) to request the initial grievance, the grievance committee’s findings, and the final report, ten days after the final decision was made. USU denied the public records request on the grounds that the records requested were private, or protected and also because “Mr. Bovee’s grievance hearing process is not yet complete.”
Cache Valley Daily issued another request on Dec. 16 asking specifically for “the final report of the grievance document filed by Jerry Bovee and any and all findings from the grievance committee. This may include any resolution, including any conclusions, recommendations, or decisions made regarding the grievance filed by Jerry Bovee.” On Dec. 20 USU released only the final opinion and stated other records relevant to the request were not public and therefore denied.
On August 1, nearly one month after receiving notice of his unexpected termination, Jerry Bovee filed a grievance with the university over the decision made by President Elizabeth Cantwell and Athletics Director Diana Sabau to terminate his employment. A hearing was held before the Grievance Hearing Committee on Sept. 16 and 17. Per policy, the committee is overseen by Human Resources and made up of three staff employees appointed by the USU Staff Employee Association (SEA) president. The chair of the committee was from the employee group that the complainant belongs to and was named by the USU SEA president.
“No member of the committee may be in the same department or have a conflict of interest to any party of the grievance,” USU’s grievance policy states.
A decision and written summary was given to USU’s Provost, Executive Vice President Larry Smith ten days later.
USU’s policy requires Smith to do one of three things after receiving the summary: Ratify the committee’s determination, return the written summary to the committee for reconsideration or clarification, or reject the determination of the committee with stated reasons.
“I have thoroughly read the Committee’s writen summary, and I have given it the most serious consideration. I agree with the Committee’s ultimate findings and conclusions related to Mr. Bovee’s grievance,” Smith wrote in the final decision. “Where the Committee members were not in agreement, I side with the majority.”
Smith went on to agree and ratify the committee’s decision that USU had adequate cause to terminate Bovee for his violations of USU Policy 340, and that USU did not violate USU Policy 311 or 399 in terminating Bovee.
“I recognize that varying accounts and allegations have surfaced regarding the activities that led to decisions that were made,” Bovee said in a public statement online in August. “Nonetheless, I believe the truth will prevail, and my proven legacy and reputation, founded in integrity and honesty, will be restored. I trust that the University will consider my grievance, and in good faith, they will do the right thing. At this time, I will not be speaking publicly on this matter to allow the University to focus on this process and find a fair resolution.”
In September, Bovee responded to claims made in a Department of Justice report. The report condemned Bovee — who was fired by USU in July, along with former football head coach Blake Anderson, senior woman administrator Amy Crosbie and director of player development Austin Albrecht — saying he failed to properly report the 2023 incident and adhere to USU policy in disciplining the player who was arrested.
In July, Crosbie, who was the Executive Associate Athletics Director for Internal Affairs and Senior Woman Administrator at USU for the past five years, was unexpectedly terminated. She also filed a grievance.
When asked if Crosbie’s termination was related to other recent athletic department terminations tied to alleged Title IX noncompliance of university policies, and the terminations days before of head coach Blake Anderson and Deputy Athletic Director Jerry Bovee, USU declined to provide further comment.
The details of Crosbie’s termination remain unknown after filing numerous public records.
Since July, USU has maintained it “stands by its decision” to terminate the employees.