LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Officials at Haskell Indian Nations University have approved plans to consider seeking more autonomy from the federal government by becoming a federally chartered school. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Haskell's Board of Regents has approved a resolution to study the possibility of breaking from federal operation to become a federally chartered school instead. The board also approved a move to pursue establishing an endowment association. Haskell President Venida Chenault says Haskell's role serving Native Americans is vital, but the current operating model is holding the university back. Chenault says federally-chartered Howard University in Washington could be a possible model for Haskell. The federal Bureau of Indian Education runs Haskell. But Haskell's federal funding has been flat for years, and federal rules don't allow the school to solicit outside funds.
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