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A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A PARTNERSHIP WITH ROGERS STATE UNIVERSITY TO SUPPORT THE CONSTURCTION OF A STEM EDUCATION FACILITY AND CREATE PATHWAYS TO HEALTH AND ALLIED HEALTH EDUCATION
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WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation (“Nation”) since time immemorial has exercised the sovereign rights of self-government on behalf of the Cherokee people;
WHEREAS, the Nation is a federally recognized Indian Nation with a historic and continual government to government relationship with the United States of America
WHEREAS, The Cherokee Nation received pandemic response funding under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA);
WHEREAS, the Council of the Cherokee Nation previously approved a broad framework for spending ARPA funds in specified categories under the Cherokee Nation Respond, Recover and Rebuild plan, retaining all relevant constitutional and statutory appropriation and oversight authority, by Resolution 26-21 <https://cherokee.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4953185&GUID=15A670D6-D70E-4EF9-99F3-64C95357D75B> enacted May 27, 2021 as amended by Resolution 16-22 <https://cherokee.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5526555&GUID=50041A88-0E8D-4133-B679-2150C67302EA> enacted March 31, 2022 and Resolution 33-23 <https://cherokee.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6348822&GUID=516B5913-FB58-400C-8E62-E81E258A1B87> enacted September 28, 2023;
WHEREAS, among the categories specified under the aforementioned ARPA frameworks were education and community partnership opportunities;
WHEREAS, the Council agrees that Cherokee Nation and Rogers State University have shared interested in increasing access to educational opportunities in the fields of nursing and allied health;
WHEREAS, Rogers State University operates campuses across the Cherokee Nation Reservation, including its main campus in Claremore, and is widely known for the educational opportunities that are provided to both Cherokees and non-Cherokees alike.
WHEREAS, The Council recognizes that Rogers State University is widely known for their efforts surrounding the nursing field and the high level at which they educate and graduate nursing students on the Cherokee Nation Reservation;
WHEREAS, Rogers State University Foundation is a non-profit entity that exists to raise, manage and distribute resources in support of Rogers State University and its students, including but not limited to scholarships;
WHEREAS, Rogers State University has identified a deficit in the university’s ability to expand access to appropriate lab space that is required of nursing, allied health and some STEM related fields;
WHEREAS, The Council finds that it is in the best interest of the Cherokee Nation to contribute to resources that increase the pipeline to professions surrounding nursing and allied health through a partnership with Rogers State University;
WHEREAS the Council authorizes and supports, subject to all relevant constitutional and statutory appropriation and oversight authority, donation of funds from Cherokee Nation to Rogers State University and or Rogers State University Foundation from funds available under the ARPA-funded Cherokee Nation Respond, Recover Rebuild Plan or dividends received from those governmental entities in which Cherokee Nation is the sole or majority shareholder, loan proceeds, with such available general fund revenue as may by the highest and best use of those various funding sources, provided
• The donation to Rogers State University does not exceed $4 million;
• The donation is subject to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with RSU and/or RSU Foundation negotiated by the Principal Chief, with provisions that:
o Directs that a substantial and specified amount of the donation support of the construction of a STEM education facility at RSU’s Claremore, Oklahoma, campus, with the balance of the donation in support of other provisions of the MOU.
o Provides for access to the said STEM education facility for career exploration of Cherokee youth.
o Establishes scholarships or other opportunities for Cherokee Nation citizens to pursue education and training in health and allied fields at Rogers State University that meet the workforce interests of Cherokee Nation.
• A copy of the MOU is provided to the Council of the Cherokee Nation by the Principal Chief within 30 days following its execution.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION that the Council of the Cherokee Nation authorizes and supports the Principal Chief negotiating a memorandum of understanding with Rogers State University and/or Rogers State University Foundation to support construction of a STEM facility on RSU’s Claremore, Oklahoma, campus and to support education and training opportunities for Cherokee citizens in health and allied health fields, utilizing federal ARPA funding made available under the Cherokee Nation Respond, Recover and Rebuild Plan .