The Haskell Indian Nations University’s Board of Regents directed Haskell President Karen Swisher Thursday to consider expanding the university’s National Historic Landmark status to include the entire campus, including Haskell Wetlands.

The move was in response to an inquiry from the National Parks Service, which Swisher said was part of a Department of Interior effort to have the issue addressed before U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deliberations on the proposed South Lawrence Trafficway were completed.

The inquiry is unlikely to delay or derail the corps’ findings, said Matthew Warren, an attorney for the regents.

Currently, 12 Haskell buildings have been designated National Historic Landmarks, a designation less restrictive than inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

“We need to be careful on this,” said Marvin Buzzard, vice president of university services. “There are a lot of issues here that need to be looked at,” including restrictions on future campus construction.

Also Thursday, a former governor of the Pueblo of Tesuque tribe near Santa Fe, N.M., was elected president of the Haskell Regents.

Gil Vigil, a past president and vice president of the Haskell regents, replaces Judy DeHose, who did not seek re-election.

Lana Redeye, a Seneca, and George Tiger, a Muscogee Creek, were elected vice president and secretary-treasurer, respectively.

On campus since Wednesday, board members spent much of Thursday reviewing committee reports.

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