The University of Michigan has decided to no longer mandate diversity statements as part of their hiring process, even though they have been known for their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The school is also exploring the possibility of making more changes to its policies in this area.
This week, advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion gathered for a rally on the University of Michigan’s campus in Ann Arbor. The photo credit goes to Emily Elconin for The New York Times.
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Written by Nicholas Confessore and Steve Friess
The University of Michigan has decided to stop mandating diversity statements for faculty hiring, promotion, and tenure evaluations. This change, announced on Thursday, represents a significant departure from previous practices at one of the top public research universities in the US.
The latest directive from Michigan’s provost is part of a larger effort to reevaluate and improve the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The university’s regents are considering a significant revamp of these programs, which are known for being extensive and well-funded. During a public meeting, Michigan’s regents and president, Santa J. Ono, revealed plans to enhance the school’s Go Blue Guarantee scholarship program for students from lower-income backgrounds.
A few members of the board of regents have mentioned that they may propose reducing the size of the school’s diversity, equity, and inclusion department to balance out the growth. However, these choices will not be officially decided until Michigan creates its upcoming yearly budget.
The recent policy change regarding diversity statements supersedes the inconsistent practices that various departments within the university had been using when it comes to incorporating diversity statements in their hiring processes.
"In our efforts to tackle this difficult and intricate task, we will constantly improve our strategy for diversity, equity, and inclusion," stated the provost, Laurie McCauley.
Michigan’s choice to limit the use of diversity statements may contribute to the increasing trend of restricting their usage, which has become more common in academia in recent years. These statements are often required by schools during the job application process, asking candidates to explain how they would promote diversity and fairness through their work in research, teaching, or community involvement. In states such as Michigan and California, where direct racial preferences in hiring are not allowed, diversity statements have been recognized for aiding public universities in hiring a more diverse group of faculty members.
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