A nonprofit organization is now collecting donations to support Haskell Indian Nations University following federally ordered staff and faculty cuts.
The Haskell Foundation, which is not associated directly with the university nor regulated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs or Bureau of Indian Education, opened up the emergency fund on its website. Around $57,485 had been raised as of Tuesday morning out of a $350,000 goal, according to the donations webpage.
About three dozen Haskell employees across most every university department were fired without cause on Feb. 14 as part of nationwide cuts ordered by the Trump administration. Existing staff are having to fill vacancies where they can, even across departments.
“The remaining Haskell staff are overwhelmed and reeling,” the webpage says. “In line with our mission, we are prioritizing the support of our family that remains at Haskell to help limit the effect of these disastrous orders on our students.”
More than 200 people on Friday attended a Lawrence community meeting to rally around Haskell. Dan Wildcat, Haskell professor and Yuchi member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma, shared several barriers to providing direct aid but suggested the Haskell Foundation could be a mechanism for emergency relief.
Wildcat said at the community meeting that since the cuts, Haskell only has four custodians to cover the around 270,000 square feet of the campus. The university can’t accept any volunteers because volunteers must go through federal background checks, which tend to be long and expensive processes.
Previously, Haskell has been able to contract out some temporary lecturers and professors, who are not federal employees.
The Haskell Foundation’s goal is to raise at least $235,000 to extend temporary contracts for terminated employees. According to the webpage, those positions would include:
• “Athletics: 3-4 coaches at a part-time contract for 3 months, Bus Driver for 3 months and General Staff for 3 months;
• Custodial: 13 staff or a contract for cleaning services for 3 months;
• Dining: 2-4 staff for 3 months;
• Potentially tutors;
• Helping students who may be affected by PELL grant delays and freezes;
• Helping ensure remaining programs stay funded and intact;
• Providing limited emergency assistance to discharged employees;
• Providing limited emergency assistance to students affected by the changes;
• Holding funds to assist with unexpected University funding cuts, with assistance provided at the request of the University President or their appointee; and
• Ensuring long-standing cultural events remain funded and can continue where possible.”
The ability to contract short-term faculty, student services staff and administrative assistants is not probable as those positions would need access to the university’s systems.
Funds are not currently being raised to rehire employees who were terminated, according to the webpage, but the Haskell Board of Regents and other collaborators are petitioning for the sweeping cuts to be rescinded.
“While this idealistically would be a tremendous support, this is not a realistic goal at this time,” the webpage says. “Haskell University employees are federal employees and we are not able to circumvent the federal process.”
In addition to donating, the Haskell Foundation implores advocates to call their state representatives and ask that the terminations be rescinded. The 5 Calls organization, which has information on its website and also has a mobile app, helps connect people to their Congressional representatives.
Donations can be made through the Haskell Foundation’s emergency support webpage, haskellfoundation.app.neoncrm.com. Checks can be sent to the Haskell Foundation, made out to “ATTN: Development Department,” and can be mailed to 155 Indian Avenue, #5019, Lawrence, KS 66046.
Learn more about the foundation on haskellfoundation.org.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
More coverage — Haskell Indian Nations University:
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
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August Rudisell / Lawrence Times
