On April 23, 2025, the KU Student Senate enacted Resolution 2025-307, titled “A Resolution to Express Support for Haskell Indian Nations University.” The measure directly addresses the recent termination of roughly 30% of Haskell’s faculty and staff, a crisis sparked by nationwide federal employee cuts.
The resolution, signed by Student Body President DaNae Estabine and Speaker of the Students’ Assembly Christopher Raithel, recognizes the emotional, institutional, and financial harm the terminations have caused. It also highlights Haskell’s crucial role in the Lawrence community and its legacy of providing culturally supportive higher education to Indigenous students from tribal nations nationwide for more than 140 years.
In the text of the resolution, the KU Student Senate:
- Expresses solidarity with Haskell students, faculty, and staff and acknowledges Haskell’s historical and cultural impact on Lawrence.
- Urges KU administration to continue honoring the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Haskell, signed in November 2024. This MOU commits both institutions to supporting one another through faculty exchanges, professional development, and other collaborative efforts.
- Encourages KU students and organizations to offer support through community service projects, fundraising efforts, and donation drives, such as contributing to Haskell’s Campus food pantry and the Haskell Foundation’s Emergency Support Fund, which is being used to support bringing terminated employees back to their roles.
In addition to emotional and institutional support, the resolution calls on KU leadership to work with Haskell administration to find new ways KU could assist during this rebuilding period, whether by expanding exchange programs or offering other support services.
While some terminated Haskell employees have been reinstated, serious concerns remain about future federal cuts. A February 26 memo from the White House’s Office of Management & Budget and the Office of Personnel Management required federal agencies to submit plans for significant workforce reductions, putting Haskell at further risk.
Resolution 2025-307 orders copies of the document to be sent to KU leadership and The Indian Leader and University Daily Kansan, symbolizing a call to the broader university communities to stand by Haskell.
For students and community members interested in helping, donations can be made directly to the Haskell Foundation’s Emergency Support Fund, and urgently needed supplies can be given through collection drives supporting the Haskell food pantries.
