Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act

The Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act would transform Haskell Indian Nations University from a Bureau of Indian Education institution into a federally chartered corporation with its own independent board of trustees. This change would allow the university to operate independently from the Bureau of Indian Education, accept private donations as a tax-exempt organization, and develop its own policies to better serve its students. The bill aims to address longstanding challenges with facility maintenance, program management, and funding dependency that have affected the university's ability to provide quality education to its approximately 900 enrolled students representing 140 tribes. The new board would be composed of 15 voting members (all enrolled in Indian Tribes) and 1 student member, with the goal of improving the university's educational mission and campus environment.