To the editor:

I am writing to clarify some points in the story about Haskell in the Lawrence Journal-World May 2, titled “Haskell mulling open classes.” The major part of my address at the University Forum was about Haskell and the Lawrence community working together to build a better community. I spoke of the richness of diversity that Haskell brings to the community through its historical and human resources.

In this context of building better relationships and in response to questions from the audience, I asked if there was interest from the community in taking selected courses in the summer on a tuition basis at Haskell because it had been suggested recently as a way to bring in revenue for summer school only. I did not suggest that it would help reinstate or subsidize Haskell’s summer session. I did not suggest that we were considering it; I merely wanted to get an audience opinion regarding the IDEA.

Since offering classes to non-Indian people would be a drastic departure from Haskell’s mission and purpose, it is a decision that is not to be taken lightly and certainly not without the involvement of the tribes and nations represented by our students and the Board of Regents. I know this and respect it and am sorry that the story on May 2 implied that this was a major focus of my speech and that this action was under consideration by university officials.

Karen Gayton Swisher,

president, Haskell Indian

Nations University