Some 57 percent of Navajo tribal members are unemployed. Because of tribal colleges' remote locations, less than 50 percent of the schools have T-1 line access. T-1 lines provide the most minimum data flow needs of American colleges. At tribal colleges, even T-1 access is spotty. Only one tribal college has a T-3 line.
Internet access is limited.
The isolated college also must rely on satellite connections for some Internet access. To keep up, we must jump at least a generation ahead of the current technology. Davis serves as chair of the tribal colleges' technology task force. The colleges have an immediate need for a total of 1,000 new-generation computers and related software, he said. Other tribal college presidents formed a delegation to greet President Clinton.