LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — University of Wyoming officials are opening a center for Native American students that they hope will help with student recruitment and retention.

UW Vice President of Student Affairs Sara Axelson told the UW Board of Trustees on Friday that Native American student retention for fall 2015-2016 was about 50 percent.

UW officials hope the center will create a community atmosphere. The proposed center will be located inside the UW Honors Program Red House.

Former board member and project coordinator James Trosper says the center could help reshape young Native Americans' opinions of higher education. He says that the history of boarding schools have caused a general mistrust in the education system in some students.

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