University Continues to Address Mountain View Tower Incident

Editor's note: The following is a continually updated collection of news releases and statements from Utah State University regarding the evacuation of Mountain View Tower, the events leading up to the evacuation, and the response following.

USU Gives All Clear for Residents of Mountain View Tower

Published Jan. 22, 2025, 8:15 p.m.

Dear USU community,

USU Public Safety and law enforcement partners have finished assessing and clearing the room in Mountain View Tower and found no continuing threat to safety. Students are free to return to their rooms. University officials deeply appreciate the patience of Mountain View Tower residents as USU Public Safety has addressed this issue.As a reminder, students who have experienced academic impacts can reach out please reach out to the CARE Team for support at https://www.usu.edu/intervention/care-office.

USU Update: Aggie Alert and Evacuation of Mountain View Tower

Residents of Mountain View Tower were asked to clear their residence hall tonight from 6-9 p.m. as law enforcement partners further assessed a room at the center of the evacuation last Thursday. The following Aggie Alert was sent to the Logan Campus at 5:42 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2025

Published Jan. 22, 2025, 5:55 p.m.

As part of its ongoing mitigation efforts, USU Public Safety has asked law enforcement partners to assist with further assessment of the room at the center of the evacuation of Mountain View Tower last Thursday, Jan. 16. Out of an abundance of caution, USU officials are clearing Mountain View Tower this evening at 6 p.m. before hazardous materials experts complete an inventory of items from the room. We anticipate residents will be let back in by 9 p.m.

We realize this is a great inconvenience, especially with current outside temperatures. The following locations are available to students who are evacuating: the Junction, common areas in Canyon Crest and Central Suites, and the ballroom in the Taggart Student Center. Student Affairs will have pizza available in the Ballroom, and the Marketplace and the Junction will also be open. The Fieldhouse will also be available, with pickleball and basketball available.

This is an ongoing mitigation effort, but law enforcement and environmental safety professionals expect that this will be the last time they will need to clear the building. Once the inventory and collection of items is complete this evening, the next action will be to restore the room (paint and replace carpet, etc.), which will have limited impact on most residents of Mountain View Tower.

For students who experience academic or other impacts, please reach out to the CARE Team for support. Visit usu.edu/intervention/care-office for assistance and resources.We greatly appreciate everyone who has supported the residents of Mountain View Tower as they have faced numerous interruptions and additional stress over the last week. And we greatly appreciate your continued support.

USU Update on Recent Evacuation of Mountain View Tower

Published Jan. 22, 2025, 3:11 p.m.

Utah State University officials continue to work closely with local, state and federal officials to ensure student safety after the events at Mountain View Tower last week.

A student, who is no longer enrolled at the university, violated school policy by unsafely storing chemicals in a residence hall room. He was charged with disorderly conduct, causing a catastrophe recklessly and prohibited from returning to campus.

USU Police requested the FBI assess the situation and survey the room again after Environmental Health & Safety found a small piece of uranium ore. The FBI visited campus for further assessment on Jan. 21. According to USU Environmental Health & Safety, uranium ore is generally safe in its solid form and in small quantities so long as it is handled and stored properly.

USU officials confirmed that all the chemicals found in the former student’s room are legally available but must be stored properly to ensure safety.

USU Environmental Health & Safety will continue to monitor and control the residence hall room and has contracted with a hazardous materials removal company to help remove remaining materials in the future.

USU President Elizabeth Cantwell commended students for reporting their concerns.

“These students are true Upstanders and potentially prevented harm to others in the building,” Cantwell said. “Looking out for one another is essential to our mutual safety, and we encourage all students to report safety concerns.” 

USU Vice President John O’Neil said, “Incidents like those recently at Mountain View Tower serve to illuminate the high reliance and great support Utah State University receives from various offices on campus including Environmental Health and Safety, its mutual aid partners, and from the FBI. Together, we are working to ensure the highest level of safety and care for our students, faculty and staff as we continue to invest in our own capabilities.” 

While investigation and mitigation efforts have been underway, Student Affairs professionals have been supporting students.  

“We know this has been a source of stress and concern for some students and their parents,” said Krystin Deschamps, interim vice president for Student Affairs. “We care about our students and their safety in this matter has been and will continue to be our top concern.” 

USU Statement on Evacuation of Mountain View Tower

Published Jan. 17, 2025

USU Police and Logan Fire Department responded to a fire alarm in Mountain View Tower last night just before 8 p.m. Mountain View Tower was evacuated for potential smoke contamination, and Logan Fire/hazmat investigated. All HVAC to the building was shut down soon after the fire alarm sounded.

An individual was identified at the center of the incident who possessed a mixture of chemicals in his residence hall room. He was isolated for contamination and later arrested by USU Police for initial misdemeanor charges of one count of disorderly conduct and one count of creating a catastrophe. This is an ongoing investigation and other charges may be added. No other students needed to be decontaminated.

At this time, USU Police have determined this individual acted recklessly and the criminal investigation remains active.

USU Housing found spaces in other USU buildings and on an Aggie Shuttle bus to keep student residents out of the elements while they waited to determine if decontamination was needed or to be let back into their room around midnight.

Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Krystin Deschamps also sent a message to the residents of Mountain View Tower that the CARE Office is available to help with academic issues caused by the evacuation.