The University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University renewed their 12-year partnership to increase academic opportunities on both campuses.

Francesca Onofrio | @francescaonofrio.news

The renewal follows the launch of KU’s new Office of Sovereign Partnerships and Indigenous Initiatives.

KU’s Chancellor Doug Girod and Haskell’s President Frank Arpan met on Nov. 1 for a signing ceremony.  

The office’s main purpose is to serve Native and Indigenous students, staff, and faculty and to help KU build and maintain relationships with Indian Country and tribes across the region. 

Alex Red Corn — a citizen of the Osage Nation and KU alum — is central to this mission as Associate Vice Chancellor for Sovereign Partnerships and Indigenous Initiatives.

Red Corn is also the director and associate professor of Indigenous Studies at KU. 

“The way that it’s built allows us to be more flexible to new ideas and new areas of growth that we can grow our partnership in and establish spinoff partnerships that are more focused on unique topics or unique opportunities,” Red Corn said.

Both universities agreed on and updated the memorandum of understanding and agreed to commitments such as articulation, research, programs, and services. In addition to the renewal, a permanent inter-institutional committee was created, and President Arpan and Chancellor Girod will appoint members.

The committee will meet at least once a semester to ensure both universities cooperate and participate. 

For more details about the memorandum, visit https://sovereignpartnerships.ku.edu/MOU.