Staff Report
Thirteen members of the President's Board of Advisors on Tribal Colleges and Universities were sworn in at a ceremony Monday at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe.
The board, which has been charged with ensuring that tribal colleges and universities across the nation have equal access to the resources that other institutions of higher education do, was formed after a July 3 executive order was given by President George W. Bush.
The 13 members of the board were appointed by Bush and are from several tribal education institutions in ten states. Two of the board members come from New Mexico including Kathy Domenici who is the owner of Communications Services, an Albuquerque-based business, and Della Warrior, president and director of development at the Institute of American Indian Arts.
Through meetings and research, the board of advisors will attempt to increase development, improve financial management, better use technology and enhance physical infrastructure at several tribal education institutions throughout the country.
The board is required to meet at least once a year and was formed to serve for a minimum of two years unless the president chooses to renew its term.
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"I look forward to working with this distinguished board to implement the promise of the No Child Left Behind Act and ensure that more American Indian youngsters can pursue and benefit from higher education," said Rod Paige, secretary of education, in a White House press release. "Our tribal colleges and universities are an important vehicle for making that promise a reality."
The meeting, which included a tour of the grounds at the institute, was the first official one for board members. There will be another meeting for board members today at the Institute of American Indian Arts.
According to a White House press release, Bush's proposed 2003 national budget includes more than $18 million for programs to improve tribal colleges and universities. That total is an increase of 3.6 percent over current federal funding.
According to the release, there are 32 tribal colleges and universities in 12 states that serve an estimated 30,000 students representing about 250 tribes.
