By
Eric Swedlund
Arizona Daily Wildcat
PHOENIX - A measure before state lawmakers would require intergovernmental agreements for any university or community college to establish a program on reservation land - and that may create problems for UA agriculture and health clinic programs, a university official said.
The bill, SB 1026, states that prior to establishing a facility or program
on a reservation, a university or community college must secure an
intergovernmental agreement with the appropriate tribal council or
organization.
The bill went before the Senate Education Committee yesterday for
discussion, but was held without a vote.
Sen. Jack Jackson, D-Window Rock, sponsors the bill and said that it would establish a coordination policy in dealings between tribal agencies and
universities or community colleges.
"We need some sort of a standing policy, not only in education, but in
health, transportation, corrections as well," he said.
The bill is intended to protect the sovereignty of American Indian tribes,
but University of Arizona lobbyist Greg Fahey said he has concerns about the matter.
"The bill is a little murky," Fahey said. "I wanted to raise the issue that the bill is very brief."
Jackson said the bill would not change how the university works with tribal governments, other than to create an agreement of understanding with state government.
"We need mutual respect between both entities," he said.
Fahey said some of his concerns stem from the term "program," which is
unclear because it does not specify between an academic program or others.
The UA's agriculture and clinical health programs operate on reservation land, and Fahey said the measure does not specify if similar programs would be affected.
"I don't know that they want to create what may be a lot of bureaucracy," Fahey said.
He added that the UA works well with Arizona tribes, and would accept an intergovernmental agreement policy.
Pete Gonzalez, of the State Board of Directors for Community Colleges,
said the bill was vague.
"Before we go ahead, let's make sure we're not disrupting services," he
said.
Gonzalez added that the board recognizes the sovereignty of tribal
nations, and that "coordination is in line with our thinking."
