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AIHEC Warns of Potential Impacts on Tribal Colleges as Executive Order Targets Department of Education Closure

Washington, D.C. – The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) is deeply concerned about the significant implications of the recent executive order, “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities,” which instructs the Secretary of Education to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.”

Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), along with countless other educational institutions, rely on federal funding administered through the Department of Education. This funding is essential for supporting programs that serve not just American Indian and Alaska Native communities, but low-income, remote, and rural students, as well as other underserved communities.

The Department of Education distributes billions of dollars annually to schools and colleges to support these programs, which includes fulfilling the federal government's trust and treaty obligations to provide education to American Indian and Alaska Native students. Dismantling the Department of Education could severely impact the government's ability to meet these legal and moral commitments to Tribal Nations and their citizens.

Any path forward must prioritize uninterrupted funding for vital education programs. Closing of the department risks creating funding gaps that would disproportionately harm rural and low-income communities. Many TCUs operate in areas where alternative funding sources are scarce, making federal support indispensable.

TCUs are a bold expression of sovereignty, established in the 1960s to address the growing need to preserve our culture, our language, our lands, and our sovereignty. While primarily serving Tribal communities, TCUs are open to students from all backgrounds, providing valuable, locally accessible post-secondary education; any disruption to funding or staffing jeopardizes not only education opportunities but also an economic anchor for jobs and financial security for our most remote communities.

As the Trump administration acknowledged, only an act of Congress can close the Department of Education, highlighting the critical role Congress must play in any decision affecting the department’s future. AIHEC urges policymakers to prioritize a transparent and inclusive process that ensures continuity of funding for all federally supported educational programs. We call on Congress to carefully evaluate the long-term consequences of this decision and to safeguard the future of education for all students.

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About the American Indian Higher Education Consortium:

AIHEC is the collective spirit and unifying voice of our nation’s Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). AIHEC provides leadership and influences public policy on American Indian higher education issues through advocacy, research, and program initiatives; promotes and strengthens indigenous languages, cultures, communities, and tribal nations; and through its unique position, serves member institutions and emerging TCUs.

Posoh, CMN:

CMN Campuses are under a 2 hour delay for Thursday, March 24. Campuses will open at 10:00am.

Thank you,
President's Office

UPDATE 3/20: 

CMN Campuses are under a 2 hour delay for Thursday, March 20. Campuses will open at 10:00am.

CMN:

Due to the Winter Storm Warning we are closing early today.  Buildings will be closed by 2pm, all employees should start heading out as soon as possible, before 2pm.

Employees who need to can work from home. Classes will be run virtually.

Hourly employees will take administrative leave for the hours not worked, if they do not work virtually.

Please inform others who may not be on campus at this time.

Thank you,
President's Office

Due to the continued snow, strong winds, and falling temperatures creating hazardous driving conditions, the college has decided to close for the day.

Please be cautious and stay safe.