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The University of Michigan is evaluating potential changes to its diversity program, which is known for being a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. Critics are raising concerns about the program’s effectiveness and its influence on campus culture.
Authored by Nicholas Confessore
The University of Michigan, known for its strong support of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, is considering making changes to its program. This comes as colleges nationwide prepare for Donald J. Trump’s second presidency and potential challenges to these initiatives from the Republican party in government and academia.
University regents expressed their intention to propose restrictions on the use of diversity statements in the hiring and promotion process. They are considering reallocating a portion of Michigan’s D.E.I. budget towards recruitment efforts and financial aid for students from low-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.) practices internally, rather than due to external legislative pressure. The board that governs the university has a majority of Democrats and is elected by state voters, usually reaching decisions through consensus. According to Michigan’s state constitution, the regents have the final say in financial matters and provide general supervision over the university.
The next meeting of the regents is scheduled for December 5th. However, recent conversations between the regents and other university officials have caused strong opposition on Michigan’s campus. Diversity, equity, and inclusion administrators are actively working to respond to criticism of their efforts and protect their funding.
Hundreds of people who support diversity, equity, and inclusion gathered at the Ann Arbor campus for a rally on Monday.
One of the speakers, a junior named Pragya Choudhary, stated that she believes no one in the audience believes the D.E.I. initiatives at the university are flawless. However, she emphasized that everyone present recognizes that without these initiatives, the university would be in a worse state.
The 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. Certain faculty and students are concerned that the regents may completely cut funding for the school’s D.E.I. initiatives, although this drastic measure does not seem to be on the table. Some have criticized the regents for allegedly planning to eliminate the school’s Go Blue Guarantee, which covers full tuition for low-income students from Michigan. However, the regents have actually expressed a desire to expand this program.
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