MONDAY,AUG.20,2001
OFFTHEHILL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 9D
THAD ALLENDER/KANSAN
The shift from Haskell to KU is a plan Michael Begay has envisioned ever since he watched his sister walk down Campanile hill. Both universities are striving to make the transition either way less daunting and more viable to students. Begay is pictured above at Haskell Indian Nations University.
From Haskell to the Hill
Making transition takes time,patience and understanding
By Dawn North Kansan staff writer
Ever since Michael Begay came to Haskell two years ago, he had his eye on "the Hill."
While visiting his sister as she prepared to graduate from the University of Kansas, he noticed photos on the walls in the geology department. They showed KU graduates making their way down Campanile hill in caps and gowns, and at that moment, he knew.
"I want all of my family to see me walk down that hill," he said to himself.
Begay wanted to receive his associate's degree from Haskell Indian Nations University. Pride resonated as he talked about
Haskell alumni and wanting to join their ranks. Begay did that in May when he earned his two-year associate's degree. He will transfer to the KU campus this fall and will work on his undergraduate degree in computer science.
A move across town is usually not a life-changing event. But, for Michael Begay and Dianne Yeahqu Reyner, it will be just that. They are two of the 15 to 20 Haskell graduates who will transfer to the University for the fall semester.
They will join the Native-American student population of about 225, minuscule compared to 26,000 students.
The University is striving to cut down barriers for Haskell transfer students by improving existing programs and developing new ones to make the transition smoother.
However, the 1.7 mile drive from Haskell in southeast
Lawrence to the University can be like traveling to another country.
"When you step off the Haskell campus to Massachusetts Street, it's a different scenery." Begay said.
The shift from a campus of about 850 Native Americans to a predominantly white student body 50 times that size will bring a new set of challenges for these students.
"At Haskell, it's comfortable. We can just be ourselves," Yeahquo Reyner said. "But that same comfort won't be there at KU." She said Haskell had an incredible support system. At the University of Kansas, she and other transfer students will have to learn to make the cultural adjustments every day.
Despite different surroundings, Begay is looking forward to meeting new people.
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