American Indian Studies

AIS Why do Indian college students have high dropout rates? Why do Indian college students have hard times in college, and university atmospheres? Why do Indian college students have difficult times when it comes to making good grades? Maybe it's because they have no role models in the home. Maybe they can't relate to individuals with different cultures and backgrounds? Perhaps it is something simple as having poor study habits. The answers could Possibly be that Indian college students are just uncomfortable in a college environment, and don't have an Indian studies program to go to, as in Reyhner's essay. Whatever the reason may be Indian college students are scarce within the college scene, just as Indian people are in the United States of America. Native American Studies departments, according to Jon Reyhner, "are critical to providing a positive university environment for Native studentsÐ'...(NAS) help keep Indian students in school by providing them with a university home"(Reyhner 106). I don't believe that American Indian Studies programs will keep Indian students in college. I believe, the desire of wanting to achieve and excel in academics for what it has to offer, will keep Indian college students in college. I believe that Jon Reyhner gives excellent points in defining the reasons for Indian students dropping out of college, but I have to disagree about his ideals on keeping them in. It seems Reyhner feels that Indian Studies Programs will give Indian students a place to show their truest identity, in turn giving them enough comfort to strive through and finish a college degree. Native college and university students, just as any other student in higher education, have distinct backgrounds and different ways of thinking. Although many Indian people come from similar histories of assimilation, cultural disappearance, slaughter, and sacrifice, the adaptability of an Indian person within college depends upon their perspective, attitude, and envolvment, in such environments. I wish American Indian Studies departments in colleges and universities could keep Indian Students from quitting, but the reality of the matter is that Indian people have little to relate to in the college world. Colleges and Universities, in a way, are businesses selling financial stable futures. There are many futures to buy, some a little more expensive than others, but in all, with a college degree, individuals have the chance and opportunity to achieve certain success. For Indian people however, just being in college is in itself an achievement of success. To graduate from college as an Indian, one can conclude that it is a feat very difficult to overcome. This is difficult, because of the certain obstacles Indian people face and what it takes to beat the odds to overcome those obstacles. Jon Reyhner explains barriers Indian's are a lot of times faced with "teachers generally do not encourage Native American students to go to college"(97). Another obstacle many Indian people must face is for the simple fact that they have a hard time integrating into mainstream college life.