Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, lands on CBS Money Watch Hall of Shame.

LJWorld.com weblogs haskellnews commentary

Posted by Haskellnews February 4, 2011 at 12:18 a.m.

Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, lands on CBS Money Watch Hall of Shame.

For the second time in less than a year (Feb 2, 2011) Haskell Indian Nations University has been placed on a list of the top 25 universities with the lowest graduation rates in the country. This time earning its place in CBS Money Watch Hall of Shame, after earning it’s spot at # 14 on the list with a one percent graduation rate. Down from a previously reported nine percent graduation rate from Washington Monthly’s worst college rankings (www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings_2010).

Lynn O’Shaughnessy a contributor for CBS Money Watch made the discovery after researching the federal education database called IPEDS.

She states” you are probably more likely to find a $100 bill laying on the sidewalk than earn a diploma from these schools in four years” and “These schools surely have not shown an institutional will to help students actually earn degrees, which makes me wonder what purpose they serve".

We too would like to know what purpose Haskell serves, when they are only graduating one percent of their students.

For more information: moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/25-universities-with-the-worst-graduation-rates

Photo used with permission of Ms. Lynn O’Shaughnessy

haskellnews commentary

02/03/2011

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geekin_topekan 2 years, 4 months ago

That is one sad statistic. Wat purpose does it serve? Maybe to keep the doors open and money flowing to a few select individuals who know a good thing when they see it? If no, then where are the deficiencies? What point is Haskell missing, or what are they doing wrong to create such dismal figures and shame the Native people of this land? With enrollment down by a third...

sbobandme 2 years, 4 months ago

Time for heads too roll and doors too close.

geekin_topekan 2 years, 4 months ago

While many Haskell stats are dismal, including the unprecedented drop in enrollment, this report does not accurately disclose the number if graduates. It merely places the limit on the number of student who graduate at four years.

While it is well known that some of Haskell's students are there for,7,8,9 years, many of Haskell's student come to Haskell unprepared for state colleges, including KU. Haskell offers remedial courses in Math and English which allow the students who come to Haskell from BIA and other less than adequate secondary schools, a chance to catch up. That means it would not be uncommon for them to take a year or two of low level gen ed.

Although this does not excuse the lack of leadership, nor explains the apparent exodus of students and quality faculty, it also is not a fair list when the state of Indian education is taken into account.

haskellnews 2 years, 4 months ago

cmdrbnd007(anonymous)says... He!!, if you can keep the students there an extra year that's another year of tuition that mom and dad or the GOVERNMENT has to pay.

geekin_topekan 2 years, 4 months ago

It's the government that pays as Haskell Indian Nations University students attend for free and, just like any freebie, it attracts a certain amount of freeloaders of all types.

There was a great leader in place that had a plan to attach a minimal level of accountability to ALL of Haskell, students and faculty alike, but she was quickly demonized and re-assigned by some sort of inner politics, which left Haskell to the freeloaders and the un-accountable, so I am told.

That great leader wanted to install new, higher fees to attend the university which would have accomplished a number of things. First of all, it would have removed many of the freeloaders and shelter guests because once it isn't totally free anymore, it would lose its luster I am sure.. Secondly it would have brought in badly needed additional funds for the students. She also tried to extend a grateful hand to the community of Lawrence for their on going support through on-campus programs that were open to public. She also expected faculty to be at their posts during their assigned hours.

You can see where those who are accustomed to doing the absolute minimum would be offended by someone who expected them to act as federal employees.

Thanks to haskellnews, we are able to learn many valuable insider tips about the dysfunction that exists and how it threatens the very future of Native American youth who desire to achieve but will not have their day at Haskell, if things continue the way they appear to be going. I say this with the greatest passion because I love(d) Haskell.

katatnite 2 years, 4 months ago

@geekin_topekan You are right..great comment. Could it be true that not only are Haskell students not graduating, but this semester they are being let out of classes a lot?(maybe Haskell News could look into that) Are there a certain amount of days they are required too hold classes at Haskell? With all their graduation woes, one would think they would be holding classes overtime, wouldn't one? Then again there is this from above "She also expected faculty to be at their posts during their assigned hours.You can see where those who are accustomed to doing the absolute minimum would be offended by someone who expected them to act as federal employees". Didn't take them long to go back to their old ways did it? Don't worry about not educating your students Haskell, they aren't graduating anyway.