Health, Education, and Human Services Committee supports Navajo student housing pilot project at UNM

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – – On Dec. 11, the Health, Education, and Human Services Committee voted in support of Legislation No. 0475-17, which seeks approval of supplemental funding from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance in the amount of nearly $1.5 million, which would provide exclusive dormitory space for Navajo students on the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque.

The legislation states that $1.5 million would be allocated to the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President, which would execute the contract with UNM. The Navajo student residence hall would reflect cultural and historical values of the Navajo Nation, and would be located in the Lobo Rainforest Building.

HEHSC chair and legislation co-sponsor Council Delegate Jonathan Hale (Oak Springs, St. Michaels) said that one of the main barriers that Navajo students face when attending college is the high cost or lack of housing, interfering with their academic aspirations.

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