Melvina M. Adolf, University of Arizona
Dr. Edward A. Franklin, University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is the original land grant institution in Arizona
and has a special role in the recruitment and retention of Native American students.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is dedicated to the recruitment
and retention of Native American students. In Arizona, the tribal lands of twenty-one
Indian tribes account for over thirty percent of its landmass. Located in the
northeast corner, the Navajo nation is the largest reservation and the lands
of the Hopi tribe lie within its boundaries. Agriculture and natural resources
are of significant importance to tribal communities culturally, spiritually,
and economically. With appropriate education, Native Americans are likely to
take a more active role in governing and administering their agricultural land
and natural resources, both on and off the reservation. Studies have shown the
importance of recognizing cultural diversity and the need to encourage recruitment
of minority students. At the University of Arizona, Native American student
enrollment in CALS is decreasing. To explore possible reasons for this decline,
a pilot study was conducted in CALS to determine the perceptions of the faculty
regarding agricultural and natural resource issues in Arizona and on the Navajo
and Hopi reservations. A small sample of faculty was interviewed. They responded
to questions about agricultural and livestock production, water issues, natural
resources, and employment opportunities. Responses showed a disturbing lack
of knowledge regarding these issues for Arizona and more specifically for the
Navajo and Hopi reservations. While only a small segment of the faculty was
interviewed, the significance of their lack of understanding of these issues
could account for the lack of retention of Native American students. If CALS
is going to attract Native American students and provide relevant coursework,
this level of faculty awareness and understanding of issues affecting the various
tribes of Arizona must be addressed.