Proposed federal legislation would give the Haskell Board of Regents governance over Haskell Indian Nations University, rather than the Bureau of Indian Education.
Two legislators representing Kansas at the national level, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and Rep. Tracey Mann, announced the draft legislation in a news release Monday.
Moran said in the release that the university has been neglected and mismanaged by the BIE.
“The bureau has failed to protect students, respond to my congressional inquiries or meet the basic infrastructure needs of the school,” Moran said in the release. “It is clear that the best path forward is for the university to be led by an independent Board of Regents nominated by the Tribal community and no longer fettered to the Bureau of Indian Education.”
Members of the Haskell Board of Regents in August called for the board to be given the opportunity to provide “greater oversight and accountability” after allegations of misconduct at the university were aired during a congressional hearing in July.
During that hearing, some congresspeople focused on Haskell’s alleged failures to respond to reports of sexual violence and support student survivors appropriately, but the hearing touched on a broad range of other complaints as well.
In addition, “Haskell University’s infrastructure is outdated, non-ADA compliant and contains obsolete technology. Haskell University faces high dropout rates and a shortage of resources for essential programs,” according to the release. As one example, the university overbooked housing for the fall semester.
Federal oversight of the university has often held up personnel changes and deprived faculty of the freedom to speak openly about issues on campus. Some Lawrence community members have been pushing for the university to have the opportunity for self-determination.
The board of regents represents tribal nations through resolutions and advises the university president on policy issues as requested, but it is not involved in the direct management of the school, according to the statement the board released in August.
“Over the years, Haskell has encountered barriers to progress and innovation that stem from the structural and operational constraints within federal agencies,” Brittany Hall, president of the Haskell Board of Regents, said in Monday’s release.
“These challenges, while not unique to Haskell, underscore the critical need for a more tailored governance model empowered by a U.S. Congressional charter — one that enables the University to thrive while better serving its students and communities.”
Mann said in the release that it is obvious that the best way to protect Haskell’s rich heritage and culture is to charter the university, remove its governance from federal bureaucrats and give governance to the board of regents.
“This new chapter for Haskell is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it’s imperative that those most directly impacted have a welcome, active voice in helping us enact this change,” Mann said in the release.
Moran and Mann would like feedback from the “Native American, Lawrence and higher education communities” on the draft to ensure it addresses key issues at Haskell. Those who are interested can email feedback@moran.senate.gov for a feedback form; forms should be submitted no later than Feb. 1.
“The Haskell National Board of Regents reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the success, sovereignty, and self-determination of Haskell Indian Nations University,” Hall said in a message Monday. “As an institution rooted in serving tribal nations, Haskell has a unique role in fostering the academic, cultural, and leadership potential of Native students.”
Here’s the full draft bill, the “Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act”:
20241223-Haskell-bill-draftHere’s a section-by-section summary of the bill:
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