A couple of news stories last week point to some promising progress at Haskell Indian Nations University.

First, during their annual fall meeting, the Haskell Board of Regents adopted Haskell 2020, a new strategic plan for the university. Work on the plan dragged out for nearly five years, a period marked by a string of acting or short-term presidents at the school. It’s probably no coincidence that the plan came together after Venida Chenault, a long-time Haskell leader was named as the school’s president in January.

The goals aren’t revolutionary or complicated, but articulating Haskell’s plan for the future gives the university a ruler by which to measure its progress. Among the goals are improving academic programs in an effort to increase student retention and graduation/transfer rates, retaining high quality degrees and employees and boosting technology capacity for the school.

Also on the list was the need to “align resources” to support implementation of the plan and to “implement strategies for developing new revenue streams and partnerships.”

That points to the other significant action reported to the Haskell regents last week: the effort to reorganize and revitalize the Haskell Foundation. The Foundation was established in 1984 to pursue private fundraising for the school but has been inactive for more than a decade after problems involving misuse of funds and its executive director’s conviction for stealing funds from the organization.

It will be a big task, but it’s good that Haskell officials are starting to rebuild confidence in the Foundation. The school is funded by the federal government, but like state-supported universities, Haskell has more needs than its government funding will cover. The most immediate needs, officials say, involve its infrastructure and athletic programs.

Haskell has a big support group both inside and outside Indian Country. The school has many loyal alumni and is held in high regard by tribal organizations throughout the nation, not to mention potential donors in the Lawrence area. If the Haskell Foundation can convince donors that their money will be well-handled and well-used, it seems likely the school can attract significant private support.

After several years in an administrative holding pattern, it may take a little time for Haskell to get back on track, but new leadership, a new plan and new fundraising efforts may help build the school’s momentum for the future.