{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=E7C2D3CA-B4EC-4B8D-949D-ABFD489A4CBF", "Sen. Moran Demands Answers From Bureau of Indian Affairs Regarding Haskell University", "2024-04-26", "2024", "2024-04", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 In response to an investigatory report released by a third-party government watchdog organization, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) demanded answers from the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, Deb Haaland, regarding serious allegations of wrongdoing at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas.\n\n\u201cThis report and the mismanagement it describes has reaffirmed my long-held belief that there is a need to improve transparency and accountability within the Bureau of Indian Affairs,\u201d said Senator Moran. \u201cThe students, faculty and staff at Haskell University deserve an institution that properly follows its policies and procedures to ensure the wellbeing of all individuals connected to the university. I am calling for a systemic overhaul within the Bureau of Indian Education, and I expect a thorough response from the Bureau of Indian Affairs that outlines how to better enhance accountability and improve outcomes for Native American students.\u201d\n\nTimeline of events:\n\nIn 2022, serious allegations were raised against employees regarding improper treatment of students and the wrongful termination of an employee\u2019s contract.\n\nIn January of 2023, Sen. Moran sent a letter to the Director of Indian Education to voice his concerns with the allegations leveled at Haskell and request the BIE address issues at the university.\n\nOn March 2, 2023, Sen. Moran received a response from the Department of the Interior detailing changes BIE would make at the University.\n\nAfter receiving the response letter, Sen. Moran\u2019s office continued to receive outreach from students and staff at the university indicating that BIE had not effectively addressed issues at Haskell.\n\nIn October of 2023, Sen. Moran\u2019s office met with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Director Tony Dearman and was informed that the Bureau of Indian Affairs Administrative Investigation Board initiated an investigation in July of 2022, and had concluded that investigation in January of 2023.\n\nOn April 16, 2024, a report, titled, \u201cHaskell Indian Nations University \u2013 Administrative Investigation Report, January 13, 2023\u201d was released after it was subjected to a FOIA request by a third-party government watchdog nonprofit organization.\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below:\n\nDear Secretary Haaland:\n\nI write to bring to your attention the urgent need for a systemic overhaul within the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) following serious allegations and findings of wrongdoing at Haskell Indian Nations University. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, Haskell is the sole Tribal Nations college in the country and provides Native American students the opportunity to receive a tuition-free higher education in an environment that understands and prioritizes Native American heritage and culture. The Department of Interior must compel meaningful improvements to Haskell\u2019s operations to ensure the success of tribal students and preserve this unique and highly valued educational institution.\n\nIn April of 2022, serious allegations leveled against employees of Haskell were brought to my attention. In addressing these claims, I contacted the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs (OCLA). Despite several follow-up requests, I never received a substantive response or any evidence of institutional change at Haskell or within the BIA.\n\nThe situation became more alarming. In March of 2023, students and former staff at Haskell notified my office of allegations that University leadership had worked with BIE personnel to cover up student harassment and sexual assault, had inappropriately terminated the contract of an employee and had failed to respond to allegations of Haskell\u2019s staff wrongdoing in a time-sensitive manner.\n\nOn October 31, 2023 my staff met with BIE Director Tony Dearman, Haskell representatives, and BIE officials and were informed that the Bureau of Indian Affairs Administrative Investigation Board initiated an investigation in July of 2022, and had concluded that investigation in January of 2023. In response to the investigation\u2019s findings, Haskell was working to improve its processes to oversee student wellbeing.\n\nOn April 16, 2024, I received the report, titled, \u201cHaskell Indian Nations University \u2013 Administrative Investigation Report, January 13, 2023\u201d after it was subjected to a FOIA request by a third-party government watchdog nonprofit organization.\n\nIn their report, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Administrative Investigation Board found that:\n\nHaskell had failed to implement a sufficient sexual assault policy and had not correctly or consistently applied current sexual assault policies and procedures;\n\nCorrective action such as discipline and reassignment of certain Haskell executives would be necessary in response to the investigation and additional Haskell employee training was required;\n\nHaskell students were subjected to intimidation by members of Haskell\u2019s leadership team;\n\nThe contracts of certain Haskell employees had been wrongfully terminated;\n\nHaskell leadership had on various accounts undermined staff, targeted specific coaches and employees;\n\nHaskell leadership had applied unwritten processes and were ill informed or unknowledgeable about BIE and DOI policies and procedures;\n\nStaff of the Haskell athletic department had failed to remain accountable for security practice;\n\nPublic records had been inappropriately disclosed by Haskell\u2019s faculty;\n\nHaskell leadership had inappropriately authorized federal employees to perform less instruction than the required 12 hours per semester; and\n\nAmong various other concerns, the University was found by the Bureau of Indian Education to be severely dysfunctional.\n\nBy failing to respond to the findings of this report in a timely and appropriate fashion, federal employees at the Department of Interior \u2013 specifically the BIA and BIE \u2013 have failed to uphold the federal government\u2019s responsibilities to Native American students.\n\nOne of the primary concerns outlined in this report that I believe requires immediate attention is communication. I am certain the lack of responsiveness to tribal concerns have eroded trust between the BIA and Indigenous communities, especially Haskell students and staff. The failure to notify my office, students, and other stakeholders of the severity of finding in the report has diminished any confidence that the issues raised will be adequately addressed.\n\nFurthermore, I urge the Department to prioritize transparency and accountability in its operations. This includes providing accessible information about policies, programs, funding allocations, and decision-making processes.\n\nIn otherwise addressing my grave concerns about the findings of this report, I respectfully request a response to the following questions no later than May 8, 2024:\n\nWhen did the Department became aware of the findings of this report?\n\nWhat steps were taken in implementing meaningful change at Haskell?\n\nWhat areas at Haskell are still in need of reform? And what steps does the Department plan to take to ensure that the appropriate changes are made?\n\nHow is the Department of Interior prioritizing Haskell student and staff safety, wellbeing and academic success?\n\nHow do you plan to hold federal employees accountable for the wrongdoing outlined in this report?\n\nWhat policies does the Department plan to implement to improve communication with Haskell students, staff and Congress?\n\nHow does the Department plan to tackle the persistent challenges and deficiencies within the BIA and BIE, specifically those that hinder its ability to fulfill its responsibilities adequately?\n\nWhat steps is the Department taking to ensure transparency in decision-making processes, enhance accountability mechanisms and foster greater collaboration with Congress?\n\nAddressing the longstanding issues faced by the Haskell community requires immediate and decisive action. Since 2017, and on multiple occasions, I have called on leadership at the Department of Interior to address the wide array of issues at Haskell. This report and the mismanagement it describes has reaffirmed my long-held belief that there is a pressing need to improve transparency and accountability within the BIA.\n\nI urge you to prioritize reform within the BIA to enhance accountability, improve bureaucratic delays and improve outcomes for Native American students. Significant action within the BIA is not only a matter of justice and fairness, but also a crucial step towards fulfilling the federal government's obligations to Native Americans.\n\nHaskell University must be an institution in which young adults can receive a quality education in a safe environment. 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