Washington ? With Haskell Indian Nations University President Karen Swisher looking on, President Bush signed an executive order Wednesday that showed renewed White House support for the tribal college movement.

Bush also named a new 14-member Board of Advisors on Tribal Colleges and Universities. He included Swisher among the appointees.

Representatives from American Indian tribes, education and business interests watch as President Bush signs an executive order intended to help Indian tribal colleges and universities. From left Wednesday were Carl Artman, Kathy Domenici, Jerry Gipp, Victoria Vasques, Ron McNeil, Ann Downes, Daniel Keating and Karen Swisher.

“It is the policy of the federal government that this nation’s commitment to educational excellence and opportunity must extend as well to the tribal colleges and universities that serve Indian tribes and Alaska Native entities,” the order stated.

The Bush order replaced a similar executive order from the Clinton administration, which the Bush White House had left in place until Wednesday.

“Witnessing President Bush signing the executive order confirmed this administration’s support of our nation’s tribal colleges and universities, the federally recognized tribes they represent, and the students and communities they serve,” said Gerald Gipp, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, following the ceremony.

Gipp is executive director of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, which lobbied for the new White House initiative. He also is a former president of Haskell.

Four appointees to the board, including Swisher, are current tribal college presidents. Ron McNeil of Fort Yates, N.D., will serve as board chairman. McNeil is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and president of Sitting Bull College.

Swisher was unavailable for comment.