The state Board of Higher Education has changed its stance on a proposal that would give state dollars to North Dakota's tribal colleges.
A bill sponsored by a Fargo legislator would give $700,000 over two years to non-Indian students who attend North Dakota's five tribal colleges.
The colleges, with combined enrollment of about 2,600 students, receive about $4,600 in federal money for each student who is an enrolled member of an American Indian tribe.
The schools receive no money for about 175 students who are nonbeneficiary students, or North Dakota residents who are not enrolled members of a federally recognized Indian tribe.
The tribal colleges have never received state funding. The proposed legislation would give about $2,000 in state funding for each nonbeneficiary student.
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In 2005-07, the state spent $4,581 per year on each full-time student in the North Dakota University System, not including money spent on major capital projects, said Laura Glatt, vice chancellor for administrative affairs.
Laurel Vermillion, president of Sitting Bull College in Fort Yates, an alumna of the college, said graduates of the tribal colleges increase their annual income by 50 percent.
Ninety percent of tribal college graduates stay in North Dakota, presidents say.
"We impact the future. We impact the state of North Dakota," said Cynthia Lindquist, president of Little Hoop Community College in Fort Totten.
This is the fifth time the tribal colleges have made such a request to the Legislature. It last failed in 1999.
In past years, the state Board of Higher Education opposed the bill or took a neutral stance, said Pat Seaworth, attorney for the North Dakota University System.
Board members opposed it when the state had limited money to allocate because they were concerned it would take away money for the 11 state colleges and universities, Seaworth said.
They also had philosophical differences about whether tribal colleges should receive state funding, he said.
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This year, Board members and presidents of state colleges and universities support the bill.
With additional funding, the college could do more to serve students by hiring tutors, more faculty and staff and a counselor, Vermillion said.
Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo, is sponsoring the tribal college funding bill. He said the funding would have a positive impact on young people and would be a good use of some of the state's projected $527 million surplus.
A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday before the House Education Committee.
Grand Forks Herald reporter Joseph Marks contributed to this report. Readers can reach Forum reporter Amy Dalrymple at (701) 241-5590
