photo by: Journal-World File

A sign at the entrance to Haskell Indian Nations University is shown Friday, Aug. 5, 2016.

About a month into the spring 2022 semester, students at Haskell Indian Nations University are voicing concerns over some campus buildings remaining closed.

The university’s Student Government Association sent a letter to Haskell’s administration earlier this month asking it to consider reopening four campus buildings: Tommaney Hall, which houses the campus library; Tecumseh Hall, which is the main student activities building; Jim Thorpe Gym; and Curtis Hall, a dining venue.

Those buildings have remained closed to regular access as the administration tracks community coronavirus spread in Douglas County; the administration decided prior to the semester’s Jan. 18 start that the first three weeks of classes would take place entirely online.

The SGA’s letter claims that each building’s closure has negatively affected Haskell’s student body.

Tommaney Hall being closed, for example, affects students without their own laptops or stable internet access from their dorms or homes. The letter also says students aren’t able to use the library’s printing and tutoring services, or its collection of Indigenous resources.

The library’s access was still limited to door pick-up and appointment-only visits as of last week, according to posts on Haskell’s social media channels.

Other buildings remaining closed means students lack places to exercise, to participate in social activities or to eat in a setting that allows for more social interaction, the letter states.

When contacted for this story, Haskell’s office of the president declined to provide comment and instead directed the Journal-World to the Bureau of Indian Education. The bureau did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday afternoon.

The SGA, also contacted via email and the group’s Facebook page, did not respond to the Journal-World’s request for comment.