UPDATED: This story has been updated to include a statement from the American Indian Higher Education Consortium about the reinstatement of employees.
Kevin Abourezk
ICT
LAWRENCE, Kansas — Student government leaders at Haskell Indian Nations University — beset after losing nearly 25 percent of its faculty and staff as a result of federal layoffs last month — announced Thursday that faculty members who were terminated will be returning to their positions as adjunct instructors.
The federal layoffs of probationary employees affected nearly 40 employees, including seven faculty members. Haskell University Frank Arpan said in a letter Monday to the “Haskell community” that the rehired faculty members were expected to resume teaching their classes this week.
“Haskell faculty that were terminated in the probationary layoffs will be returning to the classroom to finish the semester under the adjunct contract,” he said.
The American Indian Higher Education Consortium, a organization that serves the 34 tribal colleges and universities across the country, posted a statement on its Facebook page Friday afternoon that “25 positions recently terminated at Haskell Indian Nations University and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute have been reinstated” and thanked Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum for restoring this “vital infrastructure for Indian Country.”
“However, there are nearly 30 positions who serve critical needs at these institutions that still need to be addressed,” read the statement. “We urge the Bureau of Indian Education to continue to address the abrupt cuts to funding and support. The progress to restore our institutions is a direct result of tireless community advocacy, and we encourage the Bureau of Indian Affairs to maintain its commitment to providing quality education for Native students.”
Both tribal colleges are operated by the Bureau of Indian Education, under the U.S. Department of Interior. It’s one of many federal agencies impacted by the Trump administration’s decision to lay off hundreds of thousands of probationary employees nationwide, including thousands in Indian Country.
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The Haskell Indian Nations University Student Government Association shared the news Thursday on its Facebook page, but noted that other employees affected by the Trump administration layoffs were not included.
“However, this reinstatement only applies to instructors – other employees who were terminated are not included in this decision. The university acknowledges the difficult circumstances faced by all affected staff and is continuing to explore solutions where possible,” the student association stated.
The student association said the Haskell Foundation, which operates separately from the university’s federal employment system, would manage the adjunct instructor contracts. However, the foundation’s president, Bo Schneider, told ICT late Thursday night that the university, not the foundation, would be handling the instructor contracts.
“Haskell recognizes the challenges that come with these changes and remains committed to supporting students, faculty and staff during this transition,” the student association stated. “We appreciate the patience and resilience of the Haskell community as they navigate these adjustments together.”
The foundation launched a fundraiser after nearly 40 Haskell employees, including seven instructors, multiple coaches, administrative and custodial workers and others, were “abruptly terminated on Feb. 14, with their pay ending that very day and benefits only lasting another 30 days,” Schneider said.
As of Thursday, the foundation had raised $140,000 toward its goal of $350,000.
The layoffs have led to numerous student and campus services being curtailed or closed, including the Student Success Center, which provides academic advising to students.
Arpan said in his letter that the success center would remain closed “due to personnel adjustments caused by the recent layoffs.”
“All academic advising will now transition to Haskell Faculty,” he said.
Arpan told students that the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation had “graciously offered to partner with Haskell to provide temporary custodial support.”
Inside the Coffin Sports Complex on Thursday evening, university administrators honored members of the Haskell women’s basketball team, which won the 2025 Continental Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament held Feb. 27-March 2 at Haskell.
“It’s really exciting,” said Coach Adam Strom, the team’s head coach, who had been laid off but had remained coaching without pay. He was informed Thursday morning that he would be rehired.
His son, Bryan Strom Jr., Quinault Indian Nation, a senior in environmental sciences at Haskell, said he was happy to see his dad get rehired, saying his father had felt “empty” after losing his job.
He said student morale has also improved since learning that faculty would be rehired.
“I think it’s a good thing, a great thing actually for the overall students,” he said. “I know a lot of people were getting worried and kind of been unmotivated to go to class.
“It’s just a blessing.”
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