UO tribal liaison Jason Younker is assuming oversight of the UO’s Many Nations Longhouse as part of a long-planned shift in the building’s management.

President Michael Schill has notified the leaders of Oregon’s federally recognized tribes and the Native American Advisory Council of the change. The longhouse was previously managed by the Division of Equity and Inclusion.

Schill said when the university hired Younker as assistant vice president and advisor to the president for sovereignty and government-to-government relations in 2014, the university expected to transition the Many Nations Longhouse into the tribal liaison’s portfolio to reflect the UO’s relationships with Oregon’s tribal governments. After review and consultation with UO leadership and tribal leaders, Schill decided this was the appropriate structure.

Yvette Alex-Assensoh, vice president for equity and inclusion, said she supports the transition and is eager to work with Younker and the native strategies group. She will continue to lead the university’s initiatives related to equity, inclusion and diversity, including those for Native American students, faculty and staff.

Schill said Alex-Assensoh’s division currently oversees a number of critical diversity initiatives, including implementing the IDEAL framework, supporting diverse faculty hiring and raising funds for diversity-related initiatives.

The longhouse transition is effectively immediately, but users are not expected to notice the change. Younker said Gordon Bettles will remain steward and the longhouse will remain a vital part of campus.