PRESS
RELEASE
POC:
CRST Public Relations
Rock
LeBeau
(605)964-8308
For
immediate release April 04, 2005
THE CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX TRIBE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP
TO SI TANKA UNIVERSITY
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Government and
its Tribal Administration fully support the efforts
of Si Tanka University (STU) to remain in operation.
Tribal leaders are very concerned about what is
happening to the students and employees of STU.
There has been much misunderstanding in the media
about the relationship between the Cheyenne River
Sioux Tribe and STU. The relationship indeed appears
complex to those unfamiliar with Tribal governmental
operations. Therefore, Tribal leaders feel that
the governance of STU must be explained.
Si Tanka University has two charters under which
it operates. One of the charters was issued by
the Tribe in 1973. It has undergone several changes,
but in essence provides that the University Board
of Regents is comprised of 6 Members - 3 appointed
by the CRST Council and 3 elected at large from
among Tribal members. The Board acts autonomously
from the Tribal Government and has authority to
carry out all provisions of the Charter.
Other than the appointment of 3 Board Members,
the Tribal Council has little authority over either
the long term planning or day-to-day operations
of STU. The Charter states that the college must
provide a monthly report on the general condition
of the college to the Council. When the college
desires to amend its charter, its Board of Regents
must initiate any change. Although the Tribal Council
has authority to review and approve charter amendments
once passed by the STU Board, the Council has no
authority to unilaterally amend the college’s
charter. If the Tribal Council becomes aware of
certain default conditions, and those conditions
remain uncorrected for a period of time, the charter
allows the Council to dissolve the charter.
The Council’s authority to approve charter
amendments and even dissolve the charter is a power
commonly reserved to governments, and is seen in
other governments’ corporate codes, including
the State of South Dakota’s corporation code.
As with any government, the power to amend or dissolve
corporate charters is not a power the Tribal Government
exercises often or without justification.
Likewise, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Government
has little authority over the day-to-day affairs
and operations of the other, State chartered, Si
Tanka University. As a state chartered entity,
this corporation must comply with all South Dakota
state corporation laws.
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe has always and
will continue to fully support the efforts of STU
and its Board of Regents to provide higher education
for all those who seek to improve their lives through
post-high school studies. However, the Tribe has
no plans to intervene in the day-to-day operations
of the college. The Tribe defers to the insight
and vision of STU’s Board of Regents, who
have been selected by the Tribal Council and by
Tribal members, to chart the best long term path
for the college, its students and faculty.
In its concern for the students and employees
of STU, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe attempted
to lend the college money and ease the institution’s
dire financial condition. The Cheyenne River Sioux
Tribe is under no obligation to lend this money – it
did so because it cares about the welfare of all
STU employees and students, and because it saw
a need to respond to requests for financial assistance
from STU administrators. However, the Tribe’s
status as STU’s lender imparts no more authority
over STU affairs to the Tribal Council than it
would to any other of the college’s lenders.
The Tribe is acting just as any other lender would
in our relationship with STU. And, until STU resolves
the issue of the IRS levy, the Tribe cannot and
will not lend STU any money.
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council will again
take up the issue of STU’s financial crisis
this week during its regular April session. The
Tribal Government is well aware of all the concerns
and myriad of problems surrounding the college,
as well as the vital role it plays both on and
off the Cheyenne River Reservation. Whatever the
outcome, you can be assured the Cheyenne River
Sioux Tribal Government will not take its actions
lightly.
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