United Tribes pres says UND search committee should have Indian member

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) The president of United Tribes Technical College says an American Indian should be named to the search committee for a new University of North Dakota president.

United Tribes President David Gipp says the 16-member committee has no American Indian voice. It was chosen in May, and includes faculty members, students, alumni, state officials and members of the Grand Forks community.

Gipp says the new U-N-D president must be knowledgeable about American Indians in North Dakota.

State Board of Higher education President John Q. Paulsen says the U-N-D search committee still will be able to consider American Indian issues, and Indians can contribute questions and comments.

The current U-N-D president, Charles Kupchella, says he plans to retire in January.

Leigh Jeanotte (jen-OTT') is the director of American Indian Student Services at U-N-D. He says the school gets about 13 (m) million-dollars in state and federal grants for Indian programs, and that group should be represented on the search committee.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 06-14-07 0813CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list