photo by: Journal-World

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

Updated at 6:20 p.m. Friday, March 7

Haskell Indian Nations University is rehiring 14 employees, “including some teachers,” after laying off nearly 40 workers last month, the office of U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran confirmed Friday, though little is known about what led to the reversal.

Individuals were reportedly being rehired Thursday, as the Journal-World reported, but officials at Haskell and at the Bureau of Indian Education, which oversees Haskell, declined to comment, contributing to the opacity that has surrounded Haskell both before and since the layoffs — amounting to about a quarter of Haskell’s workforce — were first announced on Feb. 14.

Late Friday morning, a spokesperson for BIE, of whom the Journal-World had asked numerous questions about the layoffs and reinstatements, declined to respond, saying only that “Haskell Indian Nations University remains focused on providing quality education and supporting its students.”

Haskell officials in Lawrence have also steadfastly declined to answer any questions, saying all inquiries must be routed through the BIE in Washington, D.C., which has disposed of questions by saying, “We do not comment on personnel matters.”

A source close to the situation at Haskell told the Journal-World that a BIE benefits officer had sent out letters Friday telling those who could be reinstated that their Feb. 14 termination had been “rescinded” and that they had until the close of the business day Friday — mere hours — to accept the offer in writing if they wished to return to work, with back pay dating to Feb. 15.

“We are requesting that you report to duty at the start of business on March 10, 2025,” the letter said. “Failure to confirm your intent to return to duty and/or report to duty on March 10, 2025, will result in the original termination action remaining in effect.”

Moran last year asked the U.S. Department of the Interior to undertake a “systemic overhaul” of the BIE. One of his primary concerns was the lack of communication from the federal agency, which he said eroded trust among Haskell students and staff.

Last week, Moran, who has proposed legislation to separate Haskell from the BIE, indicated that he had requested more information about the firings from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and had urged the secretary to make certain the university had “an adequate workforce to prevent disruptions for students.” It’s not clear, however, that Moran’s request had anything to do with the reversal of fortune for some Haskell employees, who were among tens of thousands of federal workers who abruptly lost their jobs last month in President Donald Trump’s efforts to dramatically shrink the federal workforce.

Many, including Haskell students and staff, as well the university’s Board of Regents, have argued that the layoffs amounted to treaty violations by the federal government.

A community meeting to address support for Haskell is planned for 5:30 p.m. today at Haskell Auditorium, 155 E. Indian Ave.