In a letter to the Lawrence Times, Haskell Indian Nations University’s Faculty Senate responded to a congressional hearing centering the University in July 2024.

Mily Favella | @MilyFavellaTV

The hearing was held in response to an 80-page investigative report where Haskell students claimed that the university failed to properly respond to and support sexual assault victims. 

The report and hearing also addressed allegations against Haskell’s faculty, some of which were involved in overall abuses of power such as theft, harassment, bullying, favoritism, nepotism, conflicts of interest, and more.

In the letter to the Lawrence Times, Haskell noted that sexual assault is a serious issue that every university faces and that Haskell is no exception. The letter notes that the university has taken significant steps to address concerns from the era of former university president, Ronald Graham. 

Some of the university’s improvements include filling essential faculty roles, like a Title IX coordinator and a housing director; Haskell has also incorporated a 24-hour mental health service available to students and faculty.

Student enrollment, faculty positions, and full-time faculty on campus have all increased under Dr. Arpan’s leadership.

“There are more buildings open, a lot more life on campus. I really do like seeing way more people and the enrollment size going up,” Angelica Henson, a third-year Haskell student, said regarding improvements made on campus. 

Henson also shared that she has seen more resources than in the last two years but feels like there could be more.

“I think there should be way more resources for students in need of any kind of help. I feel like we are lacking in academic and counseling and just overall connecting with faculty,” Henson said.

Chanell Geboe Brockie, a second-year Haskell student, agrees with Henson that there is a lack of connection and overall communication, but felt differently about the number of students on campus.

“When I saw the numbers, you know, I was stressed out. I was like oh my gosh, thats going to be so many people on campus like I already knew we didn’t have the – the means to support all these students. So when all the backlash was happening like, it was predictable,” Geboe Brockie said.

Haskell stated that the statistics are more than just numbers, they reflect the dedication and hard work of everyone at Haskell. In the letter, the university said that its faculty are present, united, and committed to serving as “a shining star of post-secondary Indigenous education.” The university remains determined to facilitate a comfortable learning environment for both students and faculty members.