U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) and U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Derek Schmidt (KS-02) introduced legislation that would federally charter Haskell Indian Nations University and transfer governance from the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) to the Haskell Board of Regents, while maintaining federal funding for the university.

In December, Sen. Moran and Rep. Mann released an initial draft of the legislation. Throughout the last five months, Sen. Moran and Rep. Mann solicited and reviewed feedback from the Native American, Lawrence and higher education communities to make certain the legislation would effectively address issues at Haskell and best serve students and staff.

“Haskell University once provided Native American students the opportunity to receive a high-quality, tuition-free education in an environment that understood and prioritized indigenous heritage and culture,” said Sen. Moran. “Over the last few years, the university has been neglected and mismanaged by the Bureau of Indian Education. The bureau has failed to protect students, respond to my congressional inquiries or meet the basic infrastructure needs of the university. 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 obstructed by the BIE. I am grateful for the input I have received from the Haskell Board of Regents, tribal members and Haskell University students and staff to make certain Haskell, as the sole Tribal Nations University in the country, receives the reforms necessary to best serve the Native American community in Kansas and across the country.”

“As a one-of-a-kind, historic institution established to meet the educational needs of students of federally recognized tribes, Haskell Indian Nations University should be a crown jewel for both Native Americans and Kansas,” said Rep. Mann. “For far too long, the U.S. Department of Interior and the Bureau of Indian Education have mismanaged the university, turned a blind eye to misconduct to the detriment of its students and failed to comply with federal oversight. Our legislation offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect Haskell’s rich heritage and culture by transferring its governance to a Board of Regents nominated by Tribal communities and removing BIE from its governing structure. I am grateful for the tribal members, Haskell students, staff, and alumni, and the Haskell Board of Regents who weighed in to help us get this bill right. Today begins a new chapter that empowers Haskell to thrive and serve tribal communities in the way it was always meant to serve.”

“For over 140 years, Haskell University has provided Native American students with an educational setting rooted in Tribal heritage. However, for too long, the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Education have failed Haskell students through chronic mismanagement, lack of oversight, and ignoring instances of serious misconduct,” said Sen. Marshall. “To protect and preserve Haskell’s mission and future, governance of the university should shift to an independent Board of Regents nominated by the Tribal community.”

"The BIE has failed the students of Haskell University and improvements are long overdue. With Oklahomans leading the way in highest attendance for first-time and first-year students, and as a Cherokee myself, I am proud to join my colleagues on this critical legislation," said Sen. Mullin.

"Haskell Indian Nations University is a Kansas gem that has yet to reach its full potential,” said Rep. Schmidt. “By transferring control of the university to the Haskell Board of Regents, our legislation would strengthen accountability by entrusting management of the university to those closest to it. I’m proud to join my colleagues in this critical effort.”

“For decades, Haskell Indian Nations University has served as a unique institution dedicated to advancing Native students and strengthening Tribal nations,” said Dalton Henry, President of the National Haskell Board of Regents. “Yet, persistent challenges under federal oversight have limited its potential. Shifting oversight from the Bureau of Indian Education to a Native-led Board of Trustees affirms that Tribal Nations are best positioned to guide Haskell’s future. This is how we secure Haskell’s legacy, not just for today’s students, but for the next seven generations. We thank Senator Moran and Congressman Mann who have taken on this effort.”

“I am thankful that Sen. Moran and Rep. Mann have introduced this legislation to strengthen Haskell as a federally chartered university to further the federal government’s treaty and trust responsibility to Indian people,” said Joseph Rupnick, Chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. “I look forward to discussions in the new year with Tribal leaders and Haskell alums, faculty and students so that this bill can safeguard Haskell’s future and its funding.”

“NIEA’s top priority is always Education Sovereignty. When Tribes, students, and communities say that something needs to change, and that the leaders and the community are ready to take charge, we will always support that initiative,” said National Indian Education Association Executive Director Jason Dropik. “We applaud Senator Moran and Congressman Mann for undertaking this effort in support of Native students across the country.”

“We support the efforts to establish Haskell Indian Nations University as a federally chartered education institution independent of federal agencies,” said Bonnie S. Lowe, President & CEO of The Chamber of Lawrence, Kansas. “The students, faculty and staff deserve the opportunity to study, live and work in a university that is supported to meet its astounding potential. These efforts are important steps toward ensuring the University’s success for generations of students to come.”

"NCAI supports the independence of the HINU Board of Trustees in governing HINU, we feel this legislation aligns with the broader goals of Tribal self-determination by empowering Tribal representatives to have a direct role in the success of HINU,” said National Congress of American Indians Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. “We are committed to working with Congress to unlock educational opportunities and career pathways that will empower the next generation to thrive."

“The American Indian Higher Education Consortium is proud to support the Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act because this legislation honors the priorities of the Haskell Board of Regents and respects Tribal self-determination,” said Moriah O’Brien, Vice President of Congressional & Federal Relations of American Indian Higher Education Consortium. “Specifically, the legislation reaffirms the federal government’s trust and treaty responsibility for post-secondary education; reaffirms that high quality, culturally relevant education is essential for the survival and strengthening of Tribal Nations; provides a charter to the University; and rightfully empowers the Haskell Board of Regents with decision-making authority in lieu of their current advisory-only capacity. Thank you to Senator Moran and Representative Mann for their leadership on this important issue.”

"I am proud to support the Haskell Indian Nation University Improvement Act,” said Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben. “Haskell holds a special place in the hearts of many of our Tribal students—past, present, and future—who attend with deep pride and commitment. This Act will strengthen the University by establishing a federally charted corporation with an independent Board of Trustees. These changes will provide Haskell with the stability, autonomy, and leadership it needs to thrive. Thank you, Senator Moran and Congressman Mann for introducing this much needed legislation."

Haskell University is the only four-year, postsecondary institution under the governance of the Department of Interior. Over the last several years, the department has failed to respond to congressional inquiries and address concerns raised by the Tribal community—including delays and redactions in a report on a sexual harassment investigation. Additionally, Haskell University's infrastructure is outdated, non-ADA compliant and contains obsolete technology. The University faces high dropout rates and a lack of resources for essential programs.

Text for the legislation can be found here, and a section-by-section summary of the legislation can be found here.

Timeline of events at Haskell University:

• In 2022, serious allegations were raised against employees regarding improper treatment of students and the wrongful termination of an employee’s contract.
• In Dec. 2022, Sen. Moran introduced legislation to give Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) greater input over federal funding discussions that impact them.
• In January of 2023, Sen. Moran sent a letter to the Director of Indian Education to voice his concerns with the allegations leveled at Haskell University and requested the BIE address issues at the university.
• On March 2, 2023, Sen. Moran received a response from the Department of the Interior detailing changes BIE would make at the university.
• After receiving the response letter, Sen. Moran’s office continued to receive outreach from students and staff at the university indicating that BIE had not effectively addressed issues at Haskell University. 
• In October of 2023, Sen. Moran’s staff met with BIE Director Tony Dearman and was informed that the Bureau of Indian Affairs Administrative Investigation Board initiated an investigation in July of 2022 and concluded that investigation in January of 2023.
• On April 16, 2024, a report, titled, “Haskell Indian Nations University – Administrative Investigation Report, January 13, 2023” was released after it was subjected to a FOIA request by a third-party government watchdog nonprofit organization, detailing the university’s failure to implement a sufficient sexual assault policy, the wrongful termination of certain employees and staff and student intimidation by Haskell leadership, among other concerns.
• On April 25, 2024, Sen. Moran wrote a letter to Secretary of the Department of the Interior, Deb Haaland, calling for a systemic overhaul within the BIE. Consistent with the department’s long-time neglect of Haskell University, the secretary delegated a response to an assistant secretary.
• On Dec. 23, 2024, Sen. Moran and Rep. Mann announced a discussion draft legislation that would federally charter Haskell Indian Nations University and transfer governance from the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) to the Haskell Board of Regents, while maintaining federal funding for the university.

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