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The University of Michigan is currently evaluating potential changes to its diversity program, which has been a major advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. Critics are raising concerns about the program’s effectiveness and its effects on campus culture, prompting the school to explore new strategies.
Written by Nicholas Confessore
The University of Michigan, which strongly supports diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, is considering making changes to its program in anticipation of potential challenges under the second presidency of Donald J. Trump and Republican opposition to these initiatives in both government and academia.
Members of the university’s board of regents mentioned in discussions that they anticipate the board will propose restrictions on the use of diversity statements in the hiring and promotion processes. Additionally, there may be a potential plan to allocate a larger portion of Michigan’s D.E.I. budget towards recruitment initiatives and financial aid opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds.
Michigan is considering changes that would make it one of the first selective public universities to reassess diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) without being forced by legislation. The board of the university, which is elected by state voters and mostly operates through agreement, is mostly made up of Democrats with a 6-2 majority. The state constitution of Michigan gives the regents complete control over the university’s finances and overall supervision of the institution.
The next meeting of the regents is scheduled for December 5th. However, talks between the regents and university officials have led to strong opposition on Michigan’s campus recently. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) administrators are working to defend their work and maintain their funding amidst criticism.
A rally took place on the Ann Arbor campus on Monday, where hundreds of supporters of diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) came together.
One of the speakers, a junior named Pragya Choudhary, expressed that she believes no one in the audience thinks the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at the university are flawless. However, she is confident that everyone present acknowledges that the university would be a less welcoming place without these initiatives.
The discussions have highlighted a general lack of understanding on campus about the purpose of the D.E.I. program and the goals of the regents. Some faculty and students are concerned that the regents may completely cut funding for the school’s D.E.I. initiatives, although this does not seem to be a current consideration. There are also accusations that the regents are planning to eliminate the Go Blue Guarantee, which covers full tuition for low-income students from Michigan. However, the regents have stated that they actually want to expand the program.
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