(CNN)The University of Arizona announced this week that it will soon be exempt from tuition and tuition for any undergraduate student. .. A tribe recognized by 22 federal governments in the state.
"Serving Arizona's Native American tribes and tribal students is an important part of the University of Arizona's Land Grant Mission, and the Arizona Native Scholars Grant Program does it. It's one of many important steps in the university, "C. Robins, President of the University of Arizona, said in a statement. “We are very proud that this university has found a way for hundreds of students to easily access and complete undergraduate education. We look forward to finding ways to take these efforts further.
The university was built on indigenous land,
Given the history of the University of Arizona, this move is a form of state compensation. Indigenous peoples that may be considered.
Tribal leaders sought exemption from tuition fees
For Levi Esquera, Senior Vice President of Native American Progress and Tribal Engagement in Schools, it means working to build relationships with the tribes and address their concerns. increase.
Tribal leaders have specifically urged universities to waive tuition for native students, given their history as land-granters, Esquera said. His office worked with partners in the admissions, Provost, and President's offices to make that happen.
"These initiatives and what we are doing. They are not checkmarks," he told CNN. "They haven't been in a long time, but they're based on relationships with the tribal community." He said it would lower the barriers and improve access to higher education for indigenous students.
"The new grant program is a major step forward in UArizona's efforts to respect indigenous heritage and support indigenous students," he said in a statement to CNN. "It is important that we educate young people in world-class educational institutions like U Arizona and allow them to bring back what they have learned to support and strengthen our community."