2017-035

September 1, 2016

Author: Chance Maginness, Jr/Sr CLAS Senator

A BILL TO FUND THE INSTITUTE FOR ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Student Senate Rules and Regulations states that it is the responsibility of the Student Senate “to work to enhance the learning experience of all KU students both in and out of the classroom,” and

WHEREAS, the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a registered student organization with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, and

WHEREAS, the IEEE is open to all students, and

WHEREAS, the mission of IEEE is to engage Electrical and Computer Engineering students by hosting social events, competitions, and presentations from past KU graduates and other industry professionals

THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED by the University of Kansas Student Senate, here assembled, that the sum of $100 allocated from the Student Senate Unallocated Account to the Institue for Electrical and Electronics Engineers for the following:

General Funding $ 100.00 Total $ 100.00

2017-037 September 28th, 2016

Author: Sylvia Hernandez, Law School Senator A BILL TO FUND THE NATIVE AMERICAN LAW STUDENT ASSOCATION (KU NALSA)

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Student Senate Rules and Regulations states: “The KU Student Senate shall work to further the cultural, social, and political growth of KU students” and “The Student Senate shall work to increase access and input in University Policy decisions”, and

WHEREAS, the University of Kansas Chapter of National NALSA’s purposes are to promote Native American law student involvement in the academic and legal communities and to educate the public on legal issues affecting Native Americans, and

WHEREAS, the KU Native American Law Student Association (KU NALSA) is holding and event with the appearance and presentation at the School of Law by one of the top voices in Federal Indian Law, and

WHEREAS, Professor Matthew L.M. Fletcher is an eminent scholar in Federal Indian Law. He is a not only a full Professor of Law at Michigan State University but also the Director of the Indigenous Law and Policy Center, the Reporter for the American Law Institute’s Restatement (Third) of the Law of American Indians, and a sitting judge for several tribal courts. He has authored or co-authored primary resources used in the teaching of Indian Law, including the text used by KU Law. And he is the primary editor and author of Turtle Talk, the leading blog of American Indian law and policy. It is no exaggeration to state that Prof. Fletcher is among the top tier of scholars working in American Indian law, and KU NALSA is thrilled to have him appear, and

WHEREAS, Prof. Fletcher will speak on “The Future of Tribal Sovereignty after Dollar General Corp. v. Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.” The extent of tribal civil jurisdiction over non-members and non-Indians is an issue critical for tribes. On June 23 of this year, the 8-member Supreme Court (after the passing of Justice Scalia) was evenly divided on the question presented: “Whether Indian tribal courts have jurisdiction to adjudicate civil tort claims against nonmembers . . . ?” The answer to that question affects the extent of tribal government, tribal courts, tribal commerce, and possibly tribal existence, and

WHEREAS, Prof. Fletcher will present in Room 106, Green Hall, KU School of Law at 12:30 on November 10, 2016. This event is open to the entire University community and the public at large. KU NALSA intends to extend a particular invitation to our fellow students at Haskell Indian Nations University. A light lunch will be provided, and there will be no charge to attend.

THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED by the University of Kansas Student Senate, here assembled, that the sum of $900 be allocated from the Student Senate Unallocated Account to the KU Native American Law Student Association (KU NALSA):

Honorarium: Matthew L.M Fletcher $800General Funding $100TOTAL $900

2017-038 September 28th, 2016

Author(s): Allyssa Castilleja, Student Senate Treasurer

A BILL TO FUND VIOLIN CLUB

12

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Student Senate Rules and Regulations states, The KU Student Senate shall work to enhance the learning experience of all KU students both in and out of the classroom, and

WHEREAS, the Violin Club is an undergraduate and graduate student organization, open to all students, that is registered with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, and

WHEREAS, the Violin Club’s mission is to give musicians a chance to expand their skills by performing outreach events for the community, and

WHEREAS, the Violin Club will be performing at the Lawrence Public Library October 2nd at 1:00pm and November 12th at 3:00pm, and Haskell University on October 13th at 7:00pm. All of these events are free to KU Students and the public. Participation and attendance tends to be of a good amount between 30 and 100 (audience) and 8 to 10 (performers each event), and

WHEREAS, the total cost needed is $750 for a pianist that will enhance their events, and

WHEREAS, Violin club is composed of a wide variety of music majors: music therapists, music educators, performance majors and composition, history and theory. The funding requested for these particular items would help all of these majors not just in this club, but to other music students who collaborate with us as well. The Violin club tends to do joint activities with other musical ensembles frequently.

THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED by the University of Kansas Student Senate here assembled that the sum of $750 be allocated from the Student Senate Unallocated Account to Violin Club for the following:

Honorarium - Ellen Sommer $750.00TOTAL $750.00

2017-039September 28th, 2016

Author: Allyssa Castilleja, Student Senate Treasurer

A BILL TO FUND NATURAL SCIENCE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION SCIENCE OF THE MACABRE

WHEREAS, the Preamble to Student Senate Rules and regulations states, “The Student Senate shall work to enhance the learning experience of all KU students both in and out of the classroom,” and “further the cultural, social, and political growth of the KU Students,” and

WHEREAS, Natural Science Community Organization (NSCO) is a registered student organization with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, and is open to all students, and

WHEREAS, the mission of NSCO is to ignite a passion for Natural Sciences through educational outreach for students of the University of Kansas and the surrounding community, and

WHEREAS, NSCO seeks advertising funds to build awareness and membership for the organization, and to promote a NSCO event, and

WHEREAS, NSCO invites KU students and members of the community, free of charge, to the Natural History Museum on October 20th, 2016 at 7:00pm-9:00pm in the Natural History Museum as they celebrate Halloween, and

WHEREAS, this event will explore a wide range of topics, from spiders and snakes to human parasites, and

WHEREAS, you will be able to channel your inner Sherlock Holmes and use the science you’ve learned to help solve a museum mystery as well as have a chance to win prizes for being the first sleuth to solve the crime.

THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED by the University of Kansas Student Senate, here assembled, that the sum of $525.00 be allocated from the Student Senate Unallocated Account to the Natural Science Community Organization for the following:

General Funding $100Table Ads $125UDK Ads $300

Total $525

2017-040

September 28, 2016

Author: Sophie Wang, Holdover Senator

A BILL TO FUND THE DIALOG STUDENT ASSOCIATION

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Student Senate Rules and Regulations states: “The KU Student Senate shall work to further the cultural, social, and political growth of KU students” and “The Student Senate shall work to increase access and input in University Policy decisions”, and

WHEREAS, the Dialog Student Association is an undergraduate student organization open to all students and registered through the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, and

WHEREAS, the Dialog Student Association has always been an on-campus student group dedicated to providing a space for thought provoking conversation and a global perspective on major events, and

WHEREAS, the Dialog Student Association is hosting ‘Different Perspectives on Failed Coup Attempt in Turkey’ on October 26th at 2 PM in Alderson Auditorium to shed light on Turkey, one of the U.S.’s biggest allies, and its recently failed attempted coup, and

WHEREAS, the Dialog Student Association is seeking funding for event publicizing and inviting a speaker to the event, with the number of attendees expected to be more than 100 people.

THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED by the University of Kansas Student Senate, here assembled, that the sum of $3,000 be allocated from the Student Senate Unallocated Account to Dialog Student Association for the following:

Flyers $150Honorarium $2,850 TOTAL $3,000

2017-041 September 28th, 2016

Author(s): Whit Collins, Student Senate Assistant Treasurer Sponsor(s): Danny Summers, Student Senate Chief of Staff

A BILL TO FUND ASIAN AMERICAN STUDENT UNION (AASU)

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Student Senate Rules and Regulations states, “the Student Senate shall work to enhance the learning experience of all KU students both in and out of the classroom,” and

WHEREAS, Asian American Student Union (AASU) is an undergraduate student organization, open to all students, that is registered with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, and

WHEREAS The Asian American Student Union represents the concerns and interests of Asian American students at the University of Kansas in order to promote and educate the University community about the culture and issues affecting Asian Americans.

WHEREAS, AASU strives to promote Asian American awareness and education with a certain aspiration towards fostering a social network for our students and anyone interested in Asian and Asian American culture, and collaborate with other student groups to promote solidarity at KU, and

THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED by the University of Kansas Student Senate here assembled that the sum of $100 be allocated from the Student Senate Unallocated Account to Asian American Student Union for the following:

General Funding $ 100___________ Total $ 100

2017-043

September 28nd, 2016

Author(s): Constanza Castro Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO) Senator

A BILL TO FUND DREAMERS

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Student Senate Rules and Regulations states, The KU Student Senate shall work to enhance the learning experience of all KU

students both in and out of the classroom, and

WHEREAS, the Student Senate shall work to build a vital and thriving University community encompassing students, faculty, staff, and administration. The Student Senate shall work to strengthen ties between the University community and all the residents of Lawrence and the State of Kansas, and

WHEREAS, Dreamers is an undergraduate student organization, open to all students, that is registered with the Student Involvement and Leadership

Center, and

WHEREAS, The mission of Dreamers at the University of Kansas is to advance cultural education about undocumented students, represent the

undocumented student community and function as a support system for undocumented students.

WHEREAS, Dreamers is seeking general funding for basic office supplies and printing services.

THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED by the University of Kansas Student Senate, here assembled, that the sum of $100 be allocated from the Student Senate Unallocated Account to Dreamers for the following:

General Funding $ 100___________ Total $ 100

2017-044

September 28th , 2016

Author(s): Constanza Castro Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO) Senator

A BILL TO FUND HISPANIC AMERICAN LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION (HALO)

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Student Senate Rules and Regulations states, The KU Student Senate shall work to enhance the learning experience of all KU

students both in and out of the classroom, and

WHEREAS, the Student Senate shall work to build a vital and thriving University community encompassing students, faculty, staff, and administration. The Student Senate shall work to strengthen ties between the University community and all the residents of Lawrence and the State of Kansas, and

WHEREAS, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization is an undergraduate student organization, open to all students, that is registered with the

Student Involvement and Leadership Center, and

WHEREAS, The mission of The Hispanic American Leadership Organization at the University of Kansas is to advance cultural education about Hispanics

and Latinxs, represent the Hispanic and Latinx community and function as a support system for Hispanic and Latinx students.

WHEREAS, HALO is seeking general funding for basic office supplies and printing services.

THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED by the University of Kansas Student Senate, here assembled, that the sum of $100 be allocated from the Student Senate Unallocated Account to HALO for the following:

General Funding $ 100___________ Total $ 100

2017-045 September 28th, 2016

Author(s): Allyssa Castilleja, Student Senate Treasurer Sponsor(s): Danny Summers, Student Senate Chief of Staff

A BILL TO FUND PROFESSIONALS FOR INCLUSION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE, KU (ISJ)

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Student Senate Rules and Regulations states, “the Student Senate shall work to enhance the learning experience of all KU students both in and out of the classroom,” and

WHEREAS, Professionals for Inclusion and Social Justice, KU (ISJ) is an undergraduate student organization, open to all students, that is registered with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, and

WHEREAS, Professionals for Inclusion and Social Justice, KU (ISJ) (formerly KUPD) sought to bring together graduate students with an interest in our organization's goals: (a) act as change agents, (b) engage in intellectual stimulation, (c) develop cultural awareness, and (d) develop relationships.

THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED by the University of Kansas Student Senate here assembled that the sum of $100 be allocated from the Student Senate Unallocated Account to Professionals for Inclusion and Social Justice, KU (ISJ) for the following:

General Funding $ 100___________ Total $ 100

2017-046

September 28, 2016 Author(s): Gabby Naylor, Student Body Vice President Abdoulie Njai, Diversity and Inclusion Director Danny Summers, Student Senate Chief of Staff

Michael Duncan, ROTC Senator

A BILL TO AMEND STUDENT SENATE RULES AND REGULATIONS ARTICLE II SECTION 1.2.I TO CREATE AN APPOINTED SENATOR SEAT FOR THE STUDENT

VETERANS OF AMERICA

WHEREAS, the University of Kansas Student Senate’s preamble states that “it shall work to increase access and input in University policy decisions and educational process at KU,” and

WHEREAS, it further states that “Student Senate shall work to build a vital and thriving University community encompassing students, faculty, staff, and administration. The Student Senate shall work to strengthen ties between the University community and all the residents of Lawrence and the State of Kansas,” and

WHEREAS, The University of Kansas Student Senate in efforts to increase opportunities for the voices of multicultural and underrepresented students in Student Senate

WHEREAS, Student veterans are a growing part of the University of Kansas community with concerns that are central and unique to the student veteran populations, and

WHEREAS, an organization-associated Senator provides different perspectives compared with the perspectives of non-organization-associated senators, and

WHEREAS, Student Veterans of America is a non-partisan group of military veterans attending KU and They are dedicated to supporting our fellow veterans, current service members, and their families.

WHEREAS, The mission of the Student Veterans of America is to ensure veteran success at KU and in the community, and

WHEREAS, the unique perspective offered by the Student Veterans of America should be valued in a way that ensures Veteran input and representation concerning the policies and procedures created on campus

THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED, by the University of Kansas Student Senate here assembled, that Student Senate Rules and Regulations Article II Section 1.2.I be amended as follows:

2.1.2.I 22. One (1) representative from the Student Veterans of America (SVA), elected or appointed by SVA.

2017-048 October 3rd, 2016

Author(s): Stephonn Alcorn, Student Body PresidentAllyssa Castilleja, Student Senate TreasurerWhit Collins, Student Senate Assistant TreasurerMady Womack, Government Relations DirectorAbdoulie Njai, Director of Diversity and InclusionZoya Khan, Multicultural Affairs Committee ChairConnor Birzer, Communications Director

Sponsor(s):

A BILL TO AMEND STUDENT SENATE RULES AND REGULATIONS APPENDIX I AND ARTICLE VIII SECTION V

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Student Senate Rules and Regulations states, “The Student Senate shall work to protect and enhance students’ right to free speech,” and

WHEREAS, effective July 1, 2016, religious student associations may not be denied any benefit available to any other student association based on such association’s requirement that the leaders or members of such association:

(a) Adhere to the association’s sincerely held religious beliefs;(b) comply with the association’s sincerely held religious beliefs;(c) comply with the association’s sincere religious standards of conduct; or(d) be committed to furthering the association’s religious missions, as such religious beliefs, observance requirements, standards of conduct or missions are defined by the religious

WHEREAS, Student Senate Rules and Regulations needs amended to reflect SB 175.

THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED by the University of Kansas Student Senate hereassembled that Student Senate Rules and Regulations Appendix I and Article VIII Section V hereby be amended as follows:

8.5.6 Required to Be Open to All KU Students. No funds shall be allocated to any corporation, organization, or group that is not open de facto to all University of Kansas students (except religious student associations excluding students for reasons set forth in K.S.A. 60-53121).

11

8.5.6.1 No funds shall be allocated to any corporation, organization, or group that precludes membership and/or ability to become an officer on the basis of membership dues and/or fees. This shall not restrict funds from being allocated to any corporation, organization, or group that organizes an event for which a fee is required, as long as no funds from Student Senate are used to promote and/or facilitate said event.

Student Senate Activity Fee Summary

Any organization receiving funding from Student Senate must:● Be open to ALL KU students (except religious student associations excluding students for

reasons set forth in K.S.A. 60-53121)● Have the officers of their organization be students,● Have membership in addition to executive staff (i.e. president, vice president, treasurer),● Have an executive staff constituted entirely by students,● Not require membership fees and/or dues,● Not hold academic standards or academic credit for members,● Seek other sources of funding, such as a University department, a Lawrence business or

organization, Coca-Cola grants, etc.,● Include the Student Senate logo on advertisements and promotions, or the words “Funding

contributed by the University of Kansas Student Senate” where display of the logo would be impossible, and

● Be registered in the Student Involvement and Leadership Center.

General Funding● Each group that meets the qualification within Article VIII for funding eligibility may

receive $100.00 in General Funding to be used for general office supplies, duplicating, printing, postage, and non-Kansan advertising.

Special Events● Student Senate may fund a special event up to one thousand dollars ($1,000.00); beyond

this level a group may receive up to fifty percent (50%) of the remaining expenditures for the special event. For example, if an event costs $4,000.00, Student Senate may fund the first $1,000.00 of costs and half of the remaining $3,000.00 of costs for a total of $2,500.00 in funding.

● For any event which involves paying a non-University entity or any individual, groups must submit a contractual services forms and a W-9 to the Finance Committee Chair before the Finance Committee meeting.

● Funds for events must be spent no later than ten (10) days after the event’s ending date. Funds not spent after ten (10) days may be reabsorbed into the Student Senate Unallocated Account.

● For student groups that indirectly fundraise for a non-profit organization, Student Senate can fund no more than ten percent (10%) of the previous three (3) year fundraising average.

Funds from Student Senate cannot be used for:● Travel (airfare, hotel, bus rental, conference registration etc.),● Partisan activities (general supplies are fundable, but promotion of or opposition to specific

candidates, ballot initiatives or legislation is not allowed),● Reimbursements (expenses not paid directly by the Student Senate),● Academic projects (activities with the intent to publish in an academic journal or present at

an academic conference),● Religious activities (general supplies are fundable, but religious texts, services, or supplies

are not),● Social functions (anything that does not have a primarily educational or multicultural

purpose),● Duplication of services (no funds will go towards providing services already provided by

the University or other Student Fees),● Direct fundraising for another corporation, organization, or group,● Commercial promotions (no funds to promote products such as Coke, Visa, or otherwise),● Maintaining affiliations, unless vital to the group’s existence (some registration fees for

national organizations may fall into this category),● Recruiting individuals to or from the University,● Granting scholarships,● Any activities that violate the University’s anti-discrimination policy,● Walkable items (items costing more than $50.00 that can be easily carried away, i.e.

external computer disk drives),● Phone or Internet expenses (unless organization is housed within the Student Involvement

and Leadership Center),● Awards or Give Aways that do not have a primarily educational purpose (trophies,

certificates, presents, key chains, koozies, t-shirts etc.),● Decorations that do not have a primarily multicultural purpose, and● Food or drink.

2017-301October 5, 2016

Authors: Amy Schumacher, Graduate Affairs DirectorBrittney Oleaniacz, Graduate Senator

Sponsors: Brent Lee, Graduate SenatorAlex Erwin, Graduate SenatorKaty Merriweather, Graduate SenatorErika Northcutt, Graduate SenatorKevin Tyner, Graduate SenatorStephonn Alcorn, Student Body PresidentDanny Summers, Chief of StaffMady Womack, Government Relations DirectorAbdoulie Njai, Director of Diversity and InclusionZoya Khan, Multicultural Affairs Committee ChairAdrian Janowiak, University Affairs Committee ChairMattie Carter, Student Rights Committee ChairElizabeth Johnson, Jr/Sr CLAS SenatorKimmie Bolton, Pharmacy SenatorCharles Jetty Fr/So CLAS SenatorChance Maginness, Jr/Sr CLAS SenatorRhett Rinehart, Freshman SenatorConstanza Castro, HALO SenatorRyan Billys, Fr/So CLAS SenatorJohn Foster, Off Campus SenatorRubayet Shafin, Graduate SenatorLuke Jordan, Jr/Sr CLAS SenatorHanna Hayden, Jr/Sr CLAS SenatorAlex Nolte, GSAB Associate SenatorBrady Olson AURH SenatorNobus Ogleekao, International Student SenatorSamuel Steuart, Freshman SenatorMartin Doherty, Student Rights Committee Associate SenatorMarcus Pepperdine, Spectrum SenatorMichael Arnold, Jr/Sr CLAS SenatorKevin Tenny, Engineering SenatorMichael Duncan, ROTC SenatorChancellor Adams, On Campus SenatorChris Hall, Graduate Senator

A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS GRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE MATTER OF SUBSIZED HEALTH INSURANCE

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Student Senate Rules and Regulations states, “The Student Senate shall work to build a vital and thriving University community encompassing students, faculty, staff and administration” and “work to represent students at all levels as a part of University Governance,” and

WHEREAS, the Preamble to the Student Senate Rules & Regulations states, “The Student Senate shall work to represent students on university, local, state, national, and international levels to further these goals,” and

WHEREAS, Goal 2 in KU’s strategic plan, Bold Aspirations, states: “We will prepare doctoral students as innovators and leaders who are ready to meet the demands of the academy and our global society,” and

WHEREAS, Strategy 2-A is to “develop sustainable funding for doctoral education” and Strategy 2-C is to “develop a comprehensive doctoral student recruitment plan,” and

WHEREAS, Bold Aspirations Goal 3 states: “We will enhance research broadly with special emphasis upon areas of present and emerging strength in order to push the boundaries of knowledge and to benefit society,” and

WHEREAS, Strategy 3-B is to “increase research activities, innovation, and funding,”

WHEREAS, Bold Aspirations Goal 6 states: “Responsibly steward fiscal and physical resources and energize supporters to expand the resource base,” and

WHEREAS, Strategy 6-A is to “reallocate resources based on a regular basis to priorities,”

WHEREAS, graduate students are crucial to achieving the University of Kansas’ research and teaching goals, and

WHEREAS, access to affordable, quality health care is a fundamental necessity and not having access to this basic need may jeopardize graduate students’ health, interfere with their ability to fully engage in teaching responsibilities and research programs, and the cost of a graduate education at KU may become prohibitive, and

WHEREAS, cutting financial assistance for GTA, GRA, and GA health insurance will have a negative outcome on most of these students, but groups such as international students, students with spouses and dependents, students with a low socioeconomic status, students on long-term medications, etc. will suffer more acutely, and

WHEREAS, a failure to provide financial assistance for insurance may lead to lower retention rates and will affect KU’s goal of recruiting high-quality students, and

WHEREAS, adding a further financial burden for obtaining a graduate education at the University of Kansas could led to a decline in the enrollment of multicultural

students and a failure to live up to the university’s diversity, inclusion, and equity goals, and

WHEREAS, the University of Kansas announced on September 28, 2016 that as of August 1, 2017, the university will no longer subsidize GTA, GRA, and GA health insurance without any assurance that alternative financial assistance will be provided at a comparable level, and

WHEREAS, the expressed reason for this policy is based on contradictory federal interpretations of the Affordable Care Act that prohibit subsidizing individual insurance plans for employees.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the University of Kansas Student Senate here assembled that we formally acknowledge the essential function of graduate students at the University of Kansas and, in the strongest terms, support these students and urge the administration to develop a plan for and commit funds to a solution by November 2016 that will provide financial assistance at a level comparable to the present subsidies that GTAs, GRAs, and GAs can use to obtain health insurance, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as the flagship university in Kansas and a top-tier research institution, we are sending a message to our federal legislators and the federal executive branch that a final interpretation should be made that enables universities to subsidize graduate student health insurance, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED upon passage, copies of this resolution be sent to the following entities:

Chancellor Bernadette Gray LittleProvost Neeli Bendapudi Dean of Graduate Studies Michael RobertsUniversity Senate President Joe Harrington Director of Human Resources Ola FaucherDirector of Federal Relations Jack Cline U.S. Senator Pat RobertsU.S. Senator Jerry MoranU.S. Representative Lynn JenkinsWhite House General Counsel Neil EgglestonU.S. Secretary of the Treasury Jacob J. LewU.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. PerezU.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Sylvia Mathews BurwellCommissioner of Internal Review John KoskinenKansas City StarLawrence Journal World

Topeka Capitol JournalUniversity Daily Kansan

2017-302

Together we call upon the University of Kansas to recognize October 10, 2016 as Indigenous Peoples Day. With its origins in the 1977 International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americans, Indigenous Peoples Day recognizes the valuable contributions made by Indigenous peoples. Such recognition is especially appropriate at KU, where the University highly regards its relationship with Indigenous students, staff, faculty, and Haskell Indian Nations University.

Recognition of October 10, 2016 as Indigenous Peoples Day is also consistent with recommendations made by other groups on campus. In the April 27, 2016 Report of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group submitted to Chancellor Gray-Little and then acting Provost Sara Rosen, it was recommended that the University “[r]ecognize Indigenous People’s Day in honor of Native American contributions to the community.” See https://provost.ku.edu/dei-report. Further, on October 3, 2016, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group issued a statement on recent protests and institutional change. In relevant part, the statement states:

Further, in accordance with the commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and as specified in the DEI report from law year, we require the University recognize this coming Monday (10/10) as Indigenous People’s Day. This requirement is only a start to move forward on the recommendations laid out last year, including strengthening the relationship with Haskell Indian Nations University and enhancing KU’s commitment to Indigenous Studies and our Indigenous and First Nations communities at the University.

See https://provost.ku.edu/dei.

The City of Lawrence declared October 12, 2015 Indigenous Peoples Day. See http://www.kansan.com/news/lawrence-mayor-declares-oct-indigenous-peoples-day-in-place-of/article_6e1d6954-6ca4-11e5-a02d-077815c8a78f.html. The City’s declaration is consistent with those of numerous other cities and states, which have all decided to recognize the crucial contributions of Indigenous peoples. See https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/10/11/more-cities-celebrating-indigenous-peoples-day-as-effort-to-abolish-columbus-day-grows/.

Accordingly, we call on the University to honor its commitment to Indigenous peoples by recognizing October 10, 2016 as Indigenous Peoples Day.

Sincerely,

First Nations Student AssociationIndigenous Studies ProgramKU Tribal Law and Government CenterNative American Faculty and Staff Council