Haskell Indian Nations University students who planned to stay in campus housing through the summer have less than a month to find temporary housing.
Interim President Mackie Moore sent a letter to students on Monday saying they’re required to move out of dorms by noon Saturday, July 26. Classes end the day before.
“I just wish they would’ve given us more notice,” a current Haskell student said. “Even at the beginning of the summer would have been nice to know.”
The student, who asked not to be named, is in a group of friends taking summer courses who were approved to stay in the dorms through the summer and fall semesters, as well as the time in between. They’re now scrambling for housing in the monthlong interim.
Moore said the decision wasn’t made lightly and attributed it to campuswide staffing shortages, particularly in housing, janitorial and dining services. It’s unclear exactly how short-staffed those specific areas are after the federal government made sweeping, indiscriminate staffing cuts in February.
“Our dedicated staff have been working overtime and taking on extra shifts to support campus operations, and they now need time to rest and take earned time off, complete essential training, and perform deep cleaning and maintenance in the residence halls,” Moore wrote in the letter. He could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
A Bureau of Indian Education spokesperson didn’t answer how many total students would be impacted but said that “Historically, only a small number of students remain in campus housing between semesters.”
The university is “committed to ensuring every student feels supported during this brief transition,” the spokesperson said via email. The spokesperson didn’t address a question about staffing shortages.
“Because the pause occurs outside the academic calendar, it is intended to minimize disruption to students’ educational progress,” the spokesperson said. “It is a common practice to close dorms for various reasons, including maintenance and cleaning.”
The student said Haskell has allowed them housing in between semesters the past two years. Losing housing also means losing three meals each day as part of their continued meal plan.
“Every semester, they try really hard to get everybody off of campus,” the student said. “But then, you know, someone like me or (other friends), we don’t really have anywhere to go, so they’ve normally given us the exception.”
In the letter, Moore said students in need should contact the dean of students, Marisa Mendoza. The student emailed Mendoza, who recommended the student look into a sublease or other temporary housing. She said her office would also provide some financial assistance.
But the housing gap comes at one of the most hectic times of the year in Lawrence, when many college students are moving into town.
Some community members are looking to help the affected students find temporary solutions; this article will be updated if opportunities to help or donate come to fruition.
Additionally, students in one dorm, Blalock Hall, were uprooted last week because of issues with the air conditioning. The student said the university notified fellow Blalock residents on Thursday that they’d be relocated to Winona Hall.
“This decision was made with your health and safety as our top priority,” Moore wrote in a separate letter to Blalock residents last week.
Students couldn’t continue the moving process over the weekend — staff wouldn’t be present because of the shortage, the student said — which caused disruptions to their school and work. The student said they finished moving on Tuesday and that the university was still allowing students to finish up Wednesday.
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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:
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
