University of Arizona Faculty Warn of Administrator’s Alarming Impact on Native Students

Concerns over student safety at the University of Arizona (UofA) have escalated following complaints from Native students regarding Assistant Vice Provost Tessa L. Dysart. In response, multiple Native faculty members are urging university leadership to take immediate action to support Indigenous students.

The Native American Faculty Group addressed a letter to UofA President Dr. Suresh Garimella and other key administrators, alleging that Dysart has caused significant harm to the Native American community since her appointment in 2024. The faculty claims that student safety issues have been raised repeatedly since Dysart’s arrival.

“In our culture, we allow our children to speak, and we listen,” the faculty members emphasized in their correspondence.

The signatories, including Karletta Chief (Diné) and Andrew Curley (Diné), articulated that they have observed troubling incidents that contradict essential protocols for supporting Indigenous students. The letter lists students’ grievances, highlighting Dysart’s inadequate engagement with initiatives like the Land Back movement and an alleged attempt to silence a student during the Tribal Leaders Summit.

Faculty members reported that Dysart’s tenure has contributed to division and distress within the Native community at UofA. They further criticized her qualifications, contending that she lacks relevant experience in Native American student admissions and support programs.

While Dysart claimed during her interview to have longstanding relationships with Native law students, the faculty group argues that such assertions are misleading. They pointed out that her involvement with the Native Faculty Group has only developed in recent years, despite being at UofA since 2017.

The faculty also expressed worries about leadership in the Native American Advancement and Tribal Engagement (NAATE) office. Their dissatisfaction with Dysart’s oversight led them to consider other universities, such as Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, as preferable alternatives for Indigenous students seeking higher education.

Concerns extend to Dysart’s annual salary of $167,116, with the faculty questioning accountability measures linked to her role. In the absence of performance reviews specific to her service to Native American faculty and staff, they conveyed a lack of confidence in her capabilities.

Moreover, the faculty group criticized the consolidation of the Native American Student Affairs (NASA) cultural center and the dismissal of its long-standing director, Julian Juan. They praised Juan’s leadership, asserting that it fostered a safe environment for Indigenous students while claiming that Dysart, along with other administrators, contribute to a hostile atmosphere.

Following his termination on May 27, 2023, the faculty group highlighted their disappointment, stating that Juan had deep connections within the local community, essential for creating culturally relevant programs.

The faculty group now calls on UofA’s new provost and senior vice president of academic affairs, Patricia Prelock, to return NASA under the office of the provost, remove Dysart, reinstate Juan, and establish a Native American Faculty Council among other initiatives. Their message emphasizes respect for tribal sovereignty and the fulfilment of their requests.

Efforts for comment from UofA and Dysart yielded no responses at the time of reporting.