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University of Michigan is considering making changes to its diversity program, which is known for being a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. Critics are questioning the program’s effectiveness and its influence on campus life, prompting the school to rethink its approach.
Written by Nicholas Confessore
The University of Michigan, known for its strong support of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in higher education, is considering making changes to its program. This comes as colleges nationwide prepare for President Donald J. Trump’s second term and potential challenges to these initiatives from Republicans in government and academia.
Members of the board in charge of managing the university mentioned in discussions that they anticipate the board will propose restrictions on diversity statements in the hiring and promotion process. Additionally, the board might consider reallocating a larger portion of Michigan’s D.E.I. budget towards recruitment initiatives and tuition assistance for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Michigan is considering changes that would make it one of the first selective public universities to reevaluate diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) policies internally, rather than in response to legislative pressure. The board, which is elected by state voters and primarily functions through consensus, is currently dominated by Democrats with a 6-2 majority. The state constitution grants the regents significant authority over the university’s finances and overall management of the institution.
The next meeting of the regents is scheduled for December 5th. However, there has been strong opposition on the Michigan campus in response to initial talks between the regents and other university officials. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) administrators are working to defend their work and secure continued funding amidst criticism.
A large group of supporters of diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) congregated on the campus of Ann Arbor for a rally on Monday.
One of the speakers, a junior named Pragya Choudhary, mentioned that she believes no one in the audience thinks the D.E.I. initiatives at the university are flawless. However, she emphasized that everyone present acknowledges that without these initiatives, the university would be a less favorable environment.
Discussions have highlighted a general lack of clarity on campus regarding the purpose of the D.E.I. program and the intentions of the regents. Some faculty and students have expressed concerns that the regents may completely stop funding the school’s D.E.I. initiatives, but this extreme measure does not seem to be on the table. There have also been criticisms of the regents for allegedly considering cutting the school’s Go Blue Guarantee, which covers full tuition for lower-income students from Michigan. However, the regents have stated that they actually aim to expand this program.
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