KU, Haskell renew long-standing MOU, recommit to partnership opportunities

Joe Monaco

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University have renewed their long-standing memorandum of understanding on shared areas of interest.

Originally established in 2012, the MOU codifies key opportunities for partnership and serves as a framework for cooperation in areas ranging from education to service to research.

The two universities celebrated the renewal of the MOU with a signing ceremony Nov. 1 hosted by KU Chancellor Douglas A. Girod and Haskell President Francis Arpan.

“Within the spirit of this memorandum, both institutions agree to honor and mutually support the institutional mission and values of each unique campus,” the MOU reads. “Our mutual trust and respect continue to be grounded in a partnership that is in cooperation with one another. These agreements are aligned with the Bureau of Indian Education policy and the Boards of Regents of both institutions.”

The MOU renewal comes on the heels of the launch of KU’s new Office of Sovereign Partnerships & Indigenous Initiatives, which is designed to better serve Native and Indigenous students, faculty and staff and help KU engage with Native and Indigenous communities in the region. The new office is led by Alex Red Corn (Osage/), who recently joined KU as associate vice chancellor for sovereign partnerships and Indigenous initiatives and also as director and associate professor of Indigenous studies; and Lori Hasselman (Shawnee/Delaware), director for sovereign partnerships and Indigenous initiatives.

The two universities originally established the MOU under the leadership of former KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little and former Haskell President James C. Redman.

Quote from Chancellor Girod

“This is a great opportunity for KU and Haskell to renew our long-standing partnership in a way that benefits each institution. This renewed agreement, along with the establishment of our new Office of Sovereign Partnerships and Indigenous Initiatives, is an example of KU’s ongoing efforts to enhance how we work with Indian Country and with students, faculty and staff who are tribal citizens at both of our institutions and throughout the region.”

Quote from President Arpan

“With this memorandum of understanding, Haskell and KU are making a joint commitment to open new doors and develop new opportunities. We are taking another step forward in a long-standing partnership that’s all about our students — their growth, their success and their futures. This partnership provides students, staff and faculty access to more resources, new perspectives and fresh opportunities for learning and connection, and it empowers them to make a positive difference in the world.”