Oregon
Tribal College
Oregon State University Extended Campus
[ Abbreviated report – for the full report, see: http://www.ankisolutions.com/projects.html
or contact Link Shadley 541.340.9545 link.shadley@oregonstate.edu ]
Oregon Tribal College
Handout 1-06
Summary
There is a need for an Indian College in Oregon. Oregon State University has
undertaken this project to assist Oregon Tribes establish a new federally charted
college under the 1994 Tribal Colleges and Universities Land Grant Act owned
and governed by Oregon Tribes. Initial steps have included forming concepts for
discussion, outreach to Tribes through their Education Directors, developing
preliminary designs, costs and potential revenue sources.
The Oregon Tribal College is feasible. Physical buildings and staff at each Tribe
and urban area combined with televideo course work to bring in classes with
cultural integrity provides the best chance of success for the greatest number of
Indian people. Estimated costs include land, buildings, televideo (T/V)
conferencing, telecommunications and staff for 13 sites (Grand Ronde, Siletz,
Coos, Coquille, Cow Creek, Klamath, Warm Springs, Burns Paiute, Umatilla,
Celilo Village, Portland, Salem and Medford . Assuming capital costs are
covered by federal appropriations and grants, the college can run at breakeven
with 518 students (2% of the Oregon Enrolled Tribal population).
Next steps include obtaining resolutions of support from the Oregon Tribes and
Native organizations, beginning the federal charter application process and
contact with AIHEC, assembling the Board of Governors, preparing grant
applications for organization startup and design, and preparing a request for a
federal appropriation.
Scope
The Oregon Tribal College is an idea that has been smoldering for several years
among Tribes and Oregon State University. In the spring of 2005, Anki Solutions
LLC was asked to look at the feasibility and fan the fire a bit to help create an
independent Native owned and controlled college to serve Oregon Indian people.
Our work has involved both political and technical aspects. We must overcome
the, “Hi, I’m from the government, I’m here to help you,” image and speak with
integrity, build trust, involve all the Tribes and let the honored process of
consensus building develop into political support for the project. Technical and
financial aspects of the feasibility study involve the building concept, real estate,
telecommunications, televideo conferencing, furnishings and operations. None
of this is cast in stone but we did need to develop some design elements to
enable realistic budgeting.
Draft resolutions of support and a PowerPoint overview have been distributed to
the Education Directors of the Tribes. OSU staff has met with these Directors
and many other people involved in Indian Education. No one has said this was a
bad idea. Many are enthusiastic.
Oregon Tribal College
Handout 1-06
Concept
The Oregon Tribal College will be an independent Land Grant College governed
by representatives of each Tribe and owned by the Indian people of Oregon. It
will provide the best possible chance for success by using a blended approach of
place based and distance education. Each Tribe and three urban centers will
have an OVTC building dedicated to serving the higher education needs of their
youth and adults. Televideo classrooms, computer labs, libraries and common
areas are housed in this structure. Broadband Internet access will be provided to
all students either through existing DSL or cable systems, new wireless mesh
networks, or by satellite to allow full motion video conferencing from home for
students unable to come to the OVTC building.
Degree programs and classes will be developed by the Board of Governors and
their staff to ensure cultural integrity and the best possible blending of technical
skills while respecting and keeping the traditional values and wisdom of the
Elders and Tribal Leaders. Young people typically want to go to a distant
campus to ‘escape’ the reservation. That usually lasts for one to two terms, and
they come back to the village. Family and Elders have expressed their desire
that the young people not leave in the first place. On-line classes are at the other
extreme and require a very high degree of motivation to complete when sitting
alone at a computer screen. The blended approach of the OTC bridges these
two methods by providing a ‘space’ that belongs to the higher education cohort
group in each Tribe, provides course work with cultural integrity, provides
motivation not found in typical individual on-line classes and keeps the support
network of family and Elders close by.
OTC staff in each facility will serve as motivators, coordinators and resource
people for the students. Our recommendation is that the first employee be from
the local Tribe and fulfill the role of mentor. A caring grandmother or grandfather
will be ideal.
Classes may be taught locally to a small group, or originate from one Tribe where
there is an instructor with a particular expertise and broadcast to the other
locations. Classes can be brought in from any institution or location with T/V
conferencing capability (other Indian colleges, classes from mainstream colleges
which have cultural integrity, etc.).
OSU will provide accreditation for degree and certification programs during the 3
year OTC application period.
Oregon Tribal College
Handout 1-06
OSU and other institutions will assist the OTC develop degree programs and
classes that are aligned with the needs and interests of Oregon Indian students
to ensure the highest possible rate of success. Degree programs will be
developed in consultation with Tribal governments and communities to increase
the likelihood of graduates finding jobs within their community.
Oregon Tribal College
Conceptual Building Design
Oregon Tribal College
Handout 1-06
Interior concept
Time Line
Oregon Tribal College
Handout 1-06
(Tribal Letterhead)
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OREGON TRIBAL COLLEGE
(Draft 5-10-05)
RESOLUTION
We, the ___________________________ of the _____________________________________,
(Tribal Council/BOT)
(Tribe)
to create the best possible educational resources for our people, utilize advance technology for the
effective delivery of higher education courses within our community, provide classes and degree
programs that are culturally appropriate and relate to needs of the Tribe and our people, do hereby
establish and submit the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Higher Education benefits our Tribe and our people by preparing them to walk in two worlds
to better preserve and protect our culture, and acquire knowledge and skills necessary for improved
economic development, natural resource management, business management of tribal enterprises,
healthcare, child development, professional-technical job skills, and others; and
WHEREAS, our people would be better served by bringing Higher Education to the Tribe allowing them to
remain in the community, remain employed and remain with their traditional support networks of family
and Elders; and
WHEREAS, technology has advanced to provide Higher Education classes and programs that can be
delivered to our people in their own community through a unique collaborative college structure
developed in partnership with other Tribes in Oregon; and
WHEREAS, we have knowledge, skills and wisdom which can be shared with other Native people of
Oregon, and they likewise; and
WHEREAS, a new College of, by and for Native peoples of Oregon would provide culturally appropriate
knowledge and skills that are not now available; and
WHEREAS, Oregon State University has offered to assist in the creation of the Oregon Tribal College by
the nine recognized Tribes in Oregon to serve the Higher Education needs of Native people with culturally
appropriate and relevant classes and degree programs in their communities as outlined in the attached
concept paper;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the ______________________________________________
does endorse the creation of a planning task force comprised of the Tribal government to government
Education Leaders and other representatives identified by the Tribal governments and Oregon State
University staff to move forward with the tasks of:
1.
Creating the college strategic development plan.
2.
Presenting that plan for final approval by the Tribal governments.
3.
Developing a vocational/career matrix for each Tribe, in collaboration with Tribal enterprises,
which outlines education and skills required for jobs produced by Tribal enterprises.
4.
Develop the infrastructure plan.
5.
Employing, or identifying a grant writer in the employ of one of the collaborating Tribes, to
assist in putting grant proposals together for planning and start-up funding for the college.
6.
Working with the tribal governments to identify and appoint a representative Board of
Governors for the college.
7.
Securing funding for the planning and start-up of the college.
Adopted _________________, 2006,
_____________________________________
(Name)
________________________________________
(Signature)
________________________________________
(Title)