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Land Acknowledgement committee urges NEIU to offer in‑state tuition to Native American students from tribal nations
Summary
A faculty member and committee representative asked trustees to adopt in‑state tuition for Native American students who are citizens of U.S. and Canadian tribal nations, citing peer institutions that offer similar policies and arguing it aligns with NEIU’s mission and AANAPISI designation.
Laurie Fuller, a professor and member of NEIU’s Land Acknowledgement and Action Committee, asked trustees during public comment on Feb. 13 to extend in‑state tuition rates to Native American students who are citizens of tribal nations in the United States and Canada.
Fuller argued the policy would align with NEIU’s mission of access and inclusion and would help recruit and retain Native students. She cited peer examples, saying “University of Illinois Chicago awards new UIC students who are citizens of tribal nations the opportunity to study for in‑state tuition,” and urged NEIU to match such offers to draw more Native students to the Chicagoland area.
The committee member said the Land Acknowledgement and Action Committee recommends the Board make the tuition change and noted that NEIU’s designation as an Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander–Serving Institution provides an opportunity to deepen impact. Fuller said the committee recognizes tuition changes are one step and that campus climate and student support are necessary for retention and matriculation.
Trustees thanked Fuller for the recommendation; administrators accepted the material she provided and said they would consider the request as part of broader policy and tuition discussions.
