Kansas college president accused of muting free speech fired
May 13, 2021
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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) The embattled president of Haskell Indian Nations University has been fired following an internal investigation into complaints that he violated the free speech rights of faculty and students.
Ronald Graham, who began his presidency in May 2020, was dismissed Friday after the Bureau of Indian Education sent a team to the Lawrence campus last month to do an administrative review, the Lawrence Journal-World reported.
Graham, an Army veteran, said in a statement to the newspaper that he took an oath to protect the U.S. Constitution.
“I have been accused of violating a student’s 1st Amendment rights and now those of the faculty. I would never do this intentionally or otherwise. I love our flag and this country and fought to protect it,” Graham said.
A sign at the entrance to Haskell Indian Nations University is shown Friday, Aug. 5, 2016.
The acting president of Haskell Indian Nations University is keeping mum on her plans for the university she is now leading after Haskell’s former leader was fired last week.
The Journal-World reached out to Tamarah Pfeiffer, the new acting president, about her vision for Haskell, how long she expects to serve in the role and whether she plans to move to Lawrence, among other questions. According to her bio on the website of the Bureau of Indian Education, Pfeiffer currently works in Albuquerque, N.M.
The recently removed president of Haskell Indian Nations University said on Monday that it was his “honor” to serve in his role and that he would never inte
photo by: Chad Lawhorn
Haskell Indian Nations University President Ronald Graham provides closing remarks at a Veterans Day celebration at the university on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020.
Updated at 4 p.m. Friday
The president of Haskell Indian Nations University has been removed from office following an internal investigation and criticism that he was stifling free speech rights of students and faculty.
Brandon Yellowbird-Stevens, president of the Haskell National Board of Regents, confirmed the removal of President Ronald Graham. Haskell’s student newspaper, The Indian Leader, also reported the dismissal.
“As the Board of Regents, we want to move forward and make sure there is a cohesive relationship between the Regents, the president of Haskell Indian Nations University and the Faculty Senate and staff,” Yellowbird-Stevens told the Journal-World. “This was a decision that more than likely needed to happen because of the, I’ll just say, disconnection between those bodi