NW Kansas News

U.S. Senators Jerry Moran, Roger Marshall, Markwayne Mullin, and U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann and Derek Schmidt have introduced legislation to reform the governance of Haskell Indian Nations University. The proposed law aims to transfer control from the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) to a newly established Haskell Board of Regents while maintaining federal funding.

Senator Moran and Representative Mann released an initial draft in December and gathered feedback from Native American communities, Lawrence residents, and higher education stakeholders over five months. This process aimed to ensure the legislation effectively addresses issues at Haskell University.

Senator Moran emphasized the university's past role in providing high-quality education to Native American students but criticized recent management by the BIE: "Over the last few years, the university has been neglected and mismanaged by the Bureau of Indian Education." He advocated for leadership by an independent Board of Regents nominated by Tribal communities.

Representative Mann described Haskell as a unique institution that should be "a crown jewel for both Native Americans and Kansas," noting long-standing mismanagement by federal entities. The new governance structure is intended to protect Haskell's heritage and culture.

The bill is seen as an opportunity to address chronic mismanagement and oversight failures at Haskell University. Senator Mullin expressed support, citing Oklahoma's high attendance rates among first-time students: "I am proud to join my colleagues on this critical legislation."

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) supports this legislative effort as it aligns with Tribal self-determination goals. Similarly, the American Indian Higher Education Consortium backs the bill for respecting Tribal priorities.

Haskell University currently faces challenges such as outdated infrastructure, non-compliance with ADA standards, high dropout rates, and resource shortages for essential programs. Past investigations revealed serious misconduct issues under current federal oversight.

In summary, this legislation seeks significant changes in how Haskell University is governed, aiming for improved accountability and empowerment of Tribal communities in decision-making processes.