Top officials from Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas appeared before Congress on Tuesday to answer questions about ongoing problems at the institution that have raised concerns about student safety and academic standards.
The hearing before the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment came in response to a scathing report last year by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Inspector General, which found numerous deficiencies at Haskell, a federal institution that serves Native American students.
Among the issues highlighted in the report were inconsistent policies for reporting sexual harassment and assault, inadequate mental health services, and a lack of proper oversight of the university’s accreditation process. The report also found that some students had been improperly awarded academic credit without completing required coursework.
In his testimony before the subcommittee, Haskell’s president, Ronald Graham, acknowledged the problems identified by the inspector general’s report and outlined steps the university has taken to address them. He noted that Haskell has hired a new Title IX coordinator to handle reports of sexual harassment and assault, and has implemented new training programs for faculty and staff on how to respond to such incidents.
Graham also discussed efforts to improve mental health services on campus, including the hiring of additional counselors and the establishment of a partnership with a local mental health provider. He emphasized Haskell’s commitment to ensuring that students receive a quality education and graduate with the skills they need to succeed in their chosen fields.
Members of the subcommittee expressed concern about the findings of the inspector general’s report and questioned Graham and other university officials about their plans to rectify the problems identified. Some lawmakers called for greater oversight of Haskell by the Department of the Interior and urged the university to prioritize the safety and well-being of its students.
In response, Graham and his colleagues pledged to continue working with federal officials to address the issues raised in the report and to ensure that Haskell meets the highest academic and ethical standards. They highlighted ongoing efforts to improve campus infrastructure, increase transparency in decision-making, and foster a culture of accountability among faculty, staff, and students.
The hearing concluded with a commitment from both Haskell officials and lawmakers to work together to ensure that the university fulfills its mission of providing a quality education to Native American students. While challenges remain, the officials’ testimony before Congress marked an important step toward addressing the problems at Haskell and reaffirming the institution’s commitment to its students’ success.
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