Native American Students at DQ University Struggle to Save Student Representation

For Immediate Release: June 8, 2007

Native American Students at DQ University Struggle to Save Student Representation at their College

Deganawidah Quetzalcoatl University in Davis, CA is California's only tribal college. There has been an on-going struggle between DQU students and the DQU Board of Trustees since 2005 when the college lost its accreditation. Incompetence and negligence on the part of the former school administration cost the college its accreditation in January 2005. Following that, a group of DQU students, with community support, vowed to stay on campus and take charge of their own education, turning the campus into a healthy, self-sustaining and self-determined living environment.

The students are now facing removal from campus by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees denies that DQU has any students. On June 16, the Board will vote to refuse current students housing on campus. The students have been asking for representation on the Board because they are not currently getting input on decisions about the future of the university. The students are now seeking support and witnesses during the possible eviction process. The students have been the sole residents at DQU since January 2005. They are demanding the right to stay on campus with or without the Board's approval. The students are currently facing harrassment and intimidation by the Board's behavior. Students and supporters are meeting at DQU on Sunday, June 10 at 10:00 AM to discuss and organize for community representation at the upcoming Board meeting on Saturday, June 16 at 10:00 AM. For further information, contact Chris Yazzie at (928) 225-1740.