Deseret News | U. needs to support American Indian teachers

Reader comments
John Florez: U. needs to support American Indian teachers

Disappointed | 8:45 a.m. June 8, 2009

This story gets at the ways that the U and its administrators treat Native people on campus. Empty, hollow promises are the norm rather than the exception.

How is it the Dean turns back 2 million in grants and is now waiting to see if new grants come through? Did they cut off their nose to spite their face, or are they just really unable to do this work? I work with some of these people, and they are grasping at straws. Sending the money back was political and vindictive against the former PI and the staff that supported the program, rather than falling in line with the new regime--and now they're 'waiting' for their new grants to come through. Perfect. Perfectly incomprehensible.

Rumor now has it that the faculty member the U. recruited to take over the program (Nola Lodge) is leaving. If this is true, at least the U. is consistent in its treatment of Native faculty. It is the same old story around here--we like our Natives as long as they stay on the reservation and on our football helmets; but we don't want them on campus as students. Sad and disappointing.

Racist | 9:11 a.m. June 8, 2009

It's 'racist' to hire or support someone mainly because of their racial background. Why is the DMN pushing the support of one race over another?

We should be supporting teachers of ALL races. Not just Amerincan Indian teachers, or hispanic teachers, or colored teachers, or WHATEVER racial background of teachers the media is supporting or promoting today.

Me Myself and I | 9:34 a.m. June 8, 2009

I'm sure there was a legitimate reason to turn down the grant money. Most grants have stipulations which must be met in order to receive and use said monies. Maybe there were too many strings attached to the money that was turned down. It's easy to pass judgment and condemn something or someone when we don't possess all the facts. As far as Ms. Lodge leaving, if she is in fact leaving it sounds like that is her choice. You can't condemn the University or anyone else for someone's personal choice. As far as the so called mistreatment of natives on the U's campus I can only respond with the knowledge I have from a few friends and an adopted uncle who are native and attended the U. They all loved it and had a great and positive educational experience.

Comments continue below

Betrayed | 10:19 a.m. June 8, 2009

The university did lie to us. Kudos to J. Florez for being one of the only individuals to really see what was happening and do something about it. Thank you John! The question now is...What are we going to do about it? If we do nothing, they win. Utah tribes especially have been lied to. We need to rally together to hold the U accountable.

@ "Betrayed | 10:19 a.m." | 1:13 p.m. June 8, 2009

Could you define "They" and "We"?

Who are the "We" that needs to do something and what do you expect them to do? Fire the UofU?

Who is the "They" that wins if "we" do nothing? Is it the UofU? What does the UofU "win" in this?

Are you saying the UofU gets some sort of reward for lieing to you? Are you saying it's a competition between you and the U, complete with winner and looser?

The victim mentality carries it's own reward.

victimization or incompetence? | 2:15 p.m. June 8, 2009

It seems an easy thing to frame this as a victim/victimizer notion. In re-reading news stories about this situation from the past, and in looking at Mr. Florez's story, it seems to me that there was a highly successful program (40 graduates in 6 years) that was, for whatever reasons, dismantled.

So, rather than frame this as a "victim mentality', it may be more useful to see it for what it is. The U. appears to have written a manual on how to dismantle a successful program to try to re-build it, and they've, to date, failed. It isn't about victimization, it appears to be about incompetence on the U.'s part.

Ultimately, it hurts the U. to not do what it says it is committed to doing. If Mr. Florez's quotes are correct (and I have no reason to not think they are), the U. committed to doing something it hasn't done. That's not victimization, it's an inability to follow through at best, and deceitful practices at worst. Either way, the institution has not followed through. What are they going to do about it?

Michael Reimer | 2:24 p.m. June 8, 2009

Imagine for a moment you were offered a $2k scholarship to Stanford. Would you be excited? Of course. But $2k is not enough make it feasible. You would have to come up with the remaining funds yourself, and if you couldn't, you wouldn't go. Not because you didn't want to, but because the resources just weren't available.

Now I haven't seen the balance sheet for the University, but I'm sure these decisions are made very carefully. I can't help but think rationally when it comes to scenarios like these. If the money isn't there, it's just not there. If accepting a $2 million grant means the University must then come up with another $10 million to support the initiative, then it may simply be a matter of feasibility. Why does it always have to get personal? Where is the proof? Until we see numbers, I think judgement should be suspended. We shouldn't always have to play the race card.

Please Stop John | 7:37 p.m. June 8, 2009

John always seems to take a simplistic view of things. Is there any kind, rational person who wouldn't agree we should encourage native americans to become teachers, who could then perhaps help other native americans? I think not.

This isn't about if people are nice, or honest, or if they have integrity. It is about the money - if they don't have enough money to match the federal grant to keep the program going, they can't take the 2,000,000. Sad, but true.

It would be a lack of integrity to TAKE the money when you know you can't keep the program going as required by the grant.

The U is SHOWING integrity by turning down the funds.

If there is enough interest in the community, the funds would be raised for the program. Looks like there isn't enough interest.

We must stop doing things we want when we don't have the money. This is a good example of responsible stewardship by the U.

a U student | 7:18 a.m. June 9, 2009

Florez is certainly enttiled to his opinion, but as a faculty member who was close to this situation last year, I see that he is way off base as usual. The U returned the funds not because of the lack of support for training American Indian teahers, but because the goals of the grant, would require significant state funding for the students who were to be trained. Although past fedeal grants had graduated about 35 students over 7 years, about 90% of those students were not living or intended to teach in Utah. Since leaving, I've learned that the new American Indian federal grant that has been submitted to the feds by the U is exclusively for Utah students and does not require extensive state support to meet its goals. John, come on, you need to give us an informed oinion, not your simplistic uninformed diatribe.

@ U Student | 1:35 p.m. June 9, 2009

Let's be honest here. I am also a member of the U's community and have background on this. I watched in horror at the ways the U. addressed these issues. There have been *40* graduates from the program. More than half of them are teaching in Utah, are in graduate school at the U. or are in reservation communities contiguous to Utah, which means that the graduates are serving tribes whose boundaries influence Utah. So, the reference to 90% living in or intended to live in Utah is categorically untrue.

At one point, administrators at the U., when they gave back the original funding, noted that they did not want to rely on federal funding, and yet, now they are making a argument of not relying on state funding. Honestly, which one is it? And, are you now arguing that we should rely on federal funding for state needs--like many issues, the U. is a playing both sides of the fence here. As a previous poster noted, they've ruined a program that did not require extensive state funds and produce *40* teachers who are now serving Utah in some way. Whose "diatribe" is uninformed?

If....? | 6:12 p.m. June 9, 2009

If Mr. Florez truely believes what he writes, that universities are supposed to be "bastions of integrity, driven by the search for truth", why does he militate for disproportionate commitment based upon race?

We will NEVER get over racism as long as racist incitement like this article continue to drivel into the media.

U Alum | 4:01 p.m. June 10, 2009

My understanding of this situation (which has not been confined to reading this one article and then boldly offering my opinion--rather, similar to the"victimization or incompetence?" poster, I too engaged in my own search and reread articles related to this situation) suggests that the U has been inconsistent in its reasoning for sending the money back. In the beginning it offered a purely economic reason: there was not enough $$ to match the funds needed to run the program as it was intentioned (i.e. the U presented itself as the "noble steward" and did the responsible thing by returning the money). On the other hand, later articles quote several administrators claiming that they intend to start their own institutionalized program to meet student needs. This is curious since the U claimed to not have enough money to support an already existing and successful program but somehow magically intends to find money to recreate the wheel, so to speak. While I don't believe the argument that the U or Florez is promoting "militating for disproportionate commitment based upon race", since American Indians are NOT considered racial groups--rather, according to a series of treaties and

U alum (continued) | 4:07 p.m. June 10, 2009

and agreements made between Indian communities and the U.S. (in exchange for lands, etc. the U.S. agreed to provide a series of services for American Indian peoples INCLUDING education). By sending back the grants prior to seeking additional avenues to allocate the financial resources needed to continue to make AITTP a successful and viable program (i.e. none of the administrators ever admit to reaching out to tribal communities or additional organizations to allocate the funds needed BEFORE returning the money), the U has essentially admitted to its own unawareness of the importance, meaning, and responsibility of receiving these federal monies and carrying out a federal agreement to Indigenous communities. In essence, the U, in submitting the grants in the first place (and lets not forget that BEFORE these grants are submitted senior U personnel have to sign off on the application and promise to do whatever they can to see these programs through, should they be awarded the money) and then sending them back--sent the message that upholding legal agreements between the U.S. and Native communities are not important or worthy of extra effort. This truly is--disappointing.

UTE mascot and name is money | 4:16 p.m. June 10, 2009

The U is in a unique position in that it has a private revenue source through the use of the UTE name which came with the former approved usage by the Northern Ute Tribe via a Memorandum of Understanding which has since expired. With the yearly filing of the UTE and LADY UTE names in the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office, the athletic department and campus bookstore have supplemental funds to apply to the federal grants which do require matching funds. Now that the MOU has expired all three Ute Tribal Nations have the opportunity to ensure the respectful usage of the name UTE. A Memorandum of Agreement is being drafted by the Southern Ute Tribe, all three Tribal governments are looking into the amount of financial gain the U has made since filing the trademark application *1973*. With this total, the Tribal governments will be able to ensure the U applies these funds to American Indian Programs on campus allowing the U to continue using the UTE name as a secondary mascot. This figure is around 250,000 per semester. Mandatory Athletic Fee per student per semester is another financial source. Go Tribal Nations!

Foreign Government Relations | 4:29 p.m. June 10, 2009

Millions of Americans do not know the foreign government relationship Tribal Nations have with the federal government. It is obvious the University of Utah does not have a clue about Foreign Government Policy. There are too many injustices to name here, it's ridiculous. A few of the people making comments need to take a course on Indian Law. Only then will you see that the Michael Young and his pony boy Mike Hardman are continuing to put the University of Utah on the map as a non-accredited university in foreign policy. Why appoint an administrator specializing in government to government relations if this individual is not going to make those connections to ensure a clear path of communication?

Year in Review | 4:37 p.m. June 10, 2009

The Board of Regents would NEVER keep someone hired if they weren't working. One whole year without progress!!! That's a damn shame. No recruitment?! Why are these people still working?! Let's petition to get them out of there and put people in those positions who want to work!!! Thanks to John Flores for providing Utah tax payers with useful and insightful information on the work ethics of Ph.D. holders at the U. Sometimes you just gotta let go of those individuals giving the U a bad name. All this negative media coverage on the U's non-commitment has given the U a black eye in the Native communities around the globe. Another american indian leaving is a bad sign in a light.

another U student | 5:43 p.m. June 10, 2009

I too was very close to these issues last year as a U student but thank goodness not a faculty member. John's opinion falls very much in line with the 700 American Indians who signed a petition asking for a meeting with regards to the BYU picture incident. Another issue the U has brushed off. Several faculty members did sign this petition but probably feared being terminated from their positions as faculty and failed to follow thru with arranging meetings with President Young. To support your native people as an american indian on the campus of the University of Utah could mean a pink slip. I'd like to send out a BIG THANK YOU to those american indian faculty and staff who have fully supported american indians on campus and lost their jobs because of it. You are truly "native". Keep up the GREAT and FANTASTIC opinions John!!!

We want answers | 6:06 p.m. June 10, 2009

We want answers to our failed commitment to the Ute and American Indian people!!! As an alum of the U, i always thought we were providing much needed services. But now i can see this isn't so.

U-- Enough- Dump the "Ute" Name | 8:10 p.m. June 10, 2009

To: Michael Young and all the U donors who see the use of the Ute name as an essential part of its past and future. Enough-- Many, many other universities have long since figured out that the use of American Indian names and logos are "sooo not appropriate" or in anyway "honoring indigenous people." No matter what you do up there on the hill on behalf of indigenous people, you are and will continue to be a target for the likes of a John Florez and all the bloggers who use his diatribe to defame one of this country's outstanding universities. Move on. Nobody in this country outside of Utah even knows what Ute means, why it is symbolic, or why the university continues to use an American Indian name. Isn't your mascot "Swoop," a red hawk? Go UofU Red Hawks!

Red-tailed Hawk | 12:17 a.m. June 11, 2009

Go Red-tailed Hawks!

Dried up federal funds | 12:34 a.m. June 11, 2009

Didn't Octavio Villalpando state that "federal funds dry up" and the U needs to look elsewhere for funds yet he writes and submits a grant to the Office of Indian Education requesting for the funds Dr. Michael Hardman turned back last year? What type of decision making is going on at the Park Building? Why aren't these 100K+ decision makers on the same page? Why compete with other American Indian education programs when you have the funds already approved? The American Indian Teacher Training Program was a beacon for other Universities to follow. Now that it's been dismantle the U has now become an Educational Injustice case study being taught in other Universities across the Nation. Eight American Indians (staff and faculty) either have left the U due to non-support from Administration or being fired for trivial issues like reminding the Office of Equity and Diversity VP that he would set up a meeting for American Indian students and President Michael Young. That's the kind of crap going on behind close doors! What's up with that? Why ya'll scared? Why ya'll scared of jail? Don't be scared...

International Students-no clue | 12:52 a.m. June 11, 2009

YOu think the international student population even know what a UTE is?International students that come from war torn countries who have first hand experience of having their country invaded by foreigners find out what a UTE is and then are ashamed to be at the U due to the genocide of American Indians. The campus of the University of Utah is a bloody battlefield and concentration camp the U.S. government set up to kill UTES. So sickening to know that this is now considered an honor. Millions of dollars lining the pockets of state workers at the expense of American Indians known as the UTES and LADY UTES.

Amer Indian Teacher Program | 9:00 a.m. June 11, 2009

Newly appointed American Indian Teacher Program Director at the College of Education is gone. No re-recruitment of the American Indian students who were left out due to turning back $2 million occurred last year. These potential students were left to go to other Universities for their B.A.'s.

Students teaching in Utah | 9:16 a.m. June 11, 2009

TO: U student and faculty member.
Commitment to educate American Indians in general was a goal of the AITTP grant. All Tribal Nations are in need of American Indian teachers. Because your mentality is that of the U.S. government, drawing lines on a map to delineate state boundaries, American Indians can live and teach anywhere...these lands are still Native lands. Only two Ute Tribal members attended the U last semester. Next year may be only one Ute Tribal member. Why is it so? Maybe Ute Tribal members are disguised by seeing non-Tribal members where ceremonial headdresses to games, seeing the tomahawk chop at sporting events, seeing racist flyers, t-shirts and signage on campus and in local non-university ads. Where are the Ute Tribal members going to school? UC-Boulder, CSU, Fort Lewis College, Haskell Indian Nations University, etc....they are going elsewhere. The diversity rate is rated as a D- on several polls for the U (both in faculty diversity and student population). 90% of american indian teachers are out there helping there people on native lands. Why aren't you?

Office of Indian Education | 9:19 a.m. June 11, 2009

PLEASE READ THIS ARTICLE!!!

Balance sheet | 9:54 a.m. June 11, 2009

TO: Michael Reimer
The balance sheet says: 18 million dollars for the UTES bowl appearances. 2 million for campus bookstore. 2 million per year for Mandatory Student Athletic fees. THere is no shortage of private funds the University of Utah can set up on the balance sheet for training American Indian teachers or American Indians in general.
This is not about race, its about honesty and commitment to people whom the University of Utah has verbally claimed their commitment to for use of the name "utes". State funds do not have to be used as matching funds, use the private funds from the athletic department, campus bookstore and mandatory student athletic fee tuition. There is no need to use tax payer money.
Its a no brainer...the balance sheet will show more money that what has been already calculated.

In total agreement | 9:56 a.m. June 11, 2009

I am in total agreement with "U alum"!!!! Great comment!!!

Not racist | 10:03 a.m. June 11, 2009

This issue is not about race, its about the U honoring their word. The University of Utah must be accountable or lose the use of the name UTE. Besides the Ute Tribal people wouldn't treat you with dishonor if you visited their homes. They would feed you, clothe you, and teach you. It is those that see the color of skin that are racist. Look at the heart, you will see a person. not race. we are all of the human race...skin color is caused by pigmentation. Lack of pigmentation causes the skin to be white. Pigmentation causes the skin to be brown or black. More pigmentation reduces the likelihood of skin cancer caused by UV rays. The darker you are the better off you are in these days of the shrinking ozone layer caused by global warming.

The truth well told | 10:06 a.m. June 11, 2009

Dean Hardman had no clear answers to questions by John Flores. Thanks John for the truth well told. The Dean shot his other foot a year later.

scientific research institution | 10:12 a.m. June 11, 2009

I agree the U is near the top as a scientific research institution for cancer but nothing else. All other fields, potential students should go elsewhere.

American Indian students | 10:15 a.m. June 11, 2009

Check these other universities:
-Portland State University
-Stanford
-University of Colorado
-Colorado State University
-University of Arizona
-Haskell Indian Nations University
-Dine College
-Arizona State University
-University of New Mexico
-University of Nevada-Las Vegas
-University of South Dakota
-Montana State University
-Idaho State University

Educational Programs | 10:18 a.m. June 11, 2009

No need for American Indians to attend the U to obtain a bachelor's degree in Education...go elsewhere. Problem solved!!!

Monster prob | 10:26 a.m. June 11, 2009

Michael Young and workers have a monster prob on their hands.

Upper hand | 10:27 a.m. June 11, 2009

Now the Ute Tribal Nations have the upper hand in ensuring they get a share of the economic pie the U has created by using the UTE name. True economic stimulus happening here. Get some money!!!

make it right | 10:31 a.m. June 11, 2009

if the U is not committed to American Indians then admit and lose the name. What's so hard about that? Let's make it right, no more utes.

Support John | 10:39 a.m. June 11, 2009

Why stop John? This is an excellent example of journalism. It's full of twists and turns. Lies and deceit involving money. State government employees trying to cover up bias decisions. At top Universities they teach "thinking outside the box." This program was one of those "thinking outside the box" to ensure funding for the former AITTP or the defunct AITP. All administrator minds were thinking in a box (or trash can, you pick).

Job Security | 12:39 p.m. June 11, 2009

Why would Hardman destroy something that was so nicely constructed and then take a year to "rebuild." Why would he specifically target a program that helped such underprivileged communities in our society? Hardman, are you really that hard up? AITTP never needed to be destroyed. The program needed support, yes, but housing a grant at a university always does. My insider information has told me that this is the first grant in 20 years (if not longer) to be rejected by the U. There have even been other recent grants that have required the U to pay double and triple the amounts of the actual grants. Rumor has it that the Principal Investigator was in bed with the administrators, literally. AITTP is dead and it is sad but at least the Natives who were running the grants maintained their dignity while they fought hard for equality at a university that never wanted them. No Native lap dances for administrators.

Dr. OG | 1:51 p.m. June 11, 2009

First of all, I am glad that Flores is making this injustice public. I encourage everyone to take action on this matter. Write Dr. Pershing a letter in support of American Indian students.

Second, I am continuously disheartened and disappointed by the ignorance of some people. For those of you who consider the support of American Indian peoples "racist" I would like to encourage you to get acquainted with history and our constitution. If you take a second to research your claims, you will learn that the U.S. made a series of agreements with Native peoples where the fed gov agreed to provide services and support in return for their lands and the poor treatment they have received and continue to receive. Sadly, none to few of those agreements have been honored.

Lastly I would like to say that it is neither racist nor discriminative to support and assist people who are in dire need of a hand. It is an issue of social justice. It is unjust that we stand by while American Indian peoples continue to suffer at the hands of poverty and death.

Not about sending students away | 2:51 p.m. June 11, 2009

This issue isn't about sending students to a different school. It isn't really even about doing away with the mascot. I believe the U has a lot of integrity and in terms of its scientific research and various other fields, it boasts some brilliant scholars! However, this issue IS about encouraging the school to get its story straight and to follow through on what it says. If it says it's "committed" to American Indians as a result of the Ute Indian community allowing the school to use their name as their athletic nickname, no problem! But, please, U administrators, don't fail the people who are trying to support you (i.e. American Indians)--PROVE your commitment! Find a way to keep your word. Don't fire or push out great American Indian minds. Turn to them for help when you need ideas. I am sure the American Indian employees on campus would have had great ideas for where to find the additional funds necessary. I don't expect administrators to have all the answers just because they hold PhD's but I DO expect them to be savvy enough to admit when they need help.

Ugly decisions | 2:56 p.m. June 11, 2009

millions of dollars line the pockets of the athletic administration while the ute and american indian people wonder why they are discriminated against with stereotypical behavior displayed by U students, fans, and the outlying community. unfortunate ugly decisions made by utahns.

Remove the ute | 2:59 p.m. June 11, 2009

We need to remove the ute name so we don't have to have this responsibility to indian people.

@ remove the Ute | 4:26 p.m. June 11, 2009

I am deeply saddened to see how quickly folks move to do the lazy thing and walk away from responsibility. What is so wrong with following through on responsibility ESPECIALLY when it helps make the world a better place for everyone?

Walking away from responsibility | 1:05 p.m. June 12, 2009

How cowardly is it to suggest that it is easier to "get rid of" something so you don't have to fulfill a responsibility? You don't promise a commitment to someone then walk away when times get tough, what kind of example is that? I hope the U has more integrity than that!

No federal funds | 10:50 p.m. June 22, 2009

American Indian Teacher Program = $ 0.00 as of June 2009.

No American Indian Teacher Prg | 11:14 p.m. June 26, 2009

No AITP = No Ute Teachers = No use of UTE name by athletic team or trademark.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.