Tribal Colleges Fighting Stagnant Federal Funding

Black Issues in Higher Education, August 19, 1999

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Ron McNeil, the president of Sitting Bull Community College in Fort Yates who has seen pipes burst and shoot water all over the school's library, is worried about proposed federal budget cuts that threaten tribal colleges now operating in dilapidated buildings.

In addition to the roof leaking, fires have started because shoddy wiring cannot keep up with the school's electrical demands. And, the foundation is sinking into the ground.

But McNeil and other college officials are fighting a congressional spending plan that would reduce funding for tribal colleges. In his 2000 budget, President Clinton called for a $7.1 million increase for tribal colleges, but a congressional committee changed it to maintain existing funding.

"Every time it rains, we wonder where we're going to have to put the bucket," says McNeil, whose great-great-great-grandfather was the legendary Sioux chief, Sitting Bull.

The American Indian Higher Education Consortium says the spending plan would actually reduce funding by more than $220 per American Indian student because tribal college enrollments are increasing so rapidly. The group says it would result in the lowest per-student budget since tribal colleges began receiving federal funding nearly 20 years ago.

On top of that, North Dakota's five tribal colleges don't receive money from the state, which means they rely heavily on federal government aid.

Tribal college leaders were in Washington last month to try to get the federal funding restored.

McNeil says it's unfair for the government to implement stagnant funding levels at the same time that tribal enrollments are soaring.

"A funding reduction of the magnitude proposed by Congress will jeopardize the very existence of tribal colleges, and thereby the health of our entire community," he says.