Settlement reached in Utah State frat party rape lawsuit

Settlement reached in Utah State frat party rape lawsuit

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A former Utah State University student has reached a $250,000 settlement with the school resolving a lawsuit she filed following her 2015 rape at a fraternity house.

As part of the settlement announced Thursday, the Logan-based university agreed to changes including increased oversight of fraternities and sororities and updates to its harassment policies.

Victoria Hewlett and school President Noelle Cockett wrote a joint opinion column in the Salt Lake Tribune saying the reforms should serve as a model for other institutions.

The Associated Press doesn’t typically identify sexual assault victims, but Hewlett agreed to have her named used in the op-ed and news coverage.

USU has faced a string of sexual assault cases and came under a U.S. Department of Justice investigation last year.

Spokesman Tim Vitale said the university knows it needs to improve its record.