Ronald Graham, former president of Haskell Indian Nations University
Ronald Graham has been removed as president of Haskell Indian Nations University after a tumultuous year of clashing with students and faculty members and allegations that he violated their civil rights and disregarded shared governance policies and practices.
The Bureau of Indian Education, the federal agency that oversees Haskell, a tribal college in Kansas, dismissed Graham last week after an internal investigation of his conduct. The bureau also announced that Tamarah Pfeiffer, the bureau’s chief academic officer, is now serving as acting president, according to the
Lawrence Journal-World.
An email sent to faculty and staff members announcing Pfeiffer s new role described her as a proven leader with the ability to identify and maximize employee strengths, motivate departments, inspire teams, and implement a sound vision to achieve educational success.
Ronald Graham (Photo courtesy: Haskell University)
LAWRENCE, Kan. 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.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports Ronald Graham was dismissed Friday after the Bureau of Indian Education sent a team to the Lawrence campus last month to do an administrative review. Graham began his presidency in May 2020.
Graham said in a statement he would never intentionally violate the First Amendment rights of students and faculty.
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