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The University of Michigan is contemplating changes to its diversity program, which is known for its strong support of diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I) in higher education. Critics are raising concerns about the program’s effectiveness and its influence on campus culture.
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 own program. This comes as colleges nationwide prepare for another term of President Donald J. Trump and potential challenges to these initiatives from the Republican party in both government and academia.
Officials in charge of the university stated in discussions that they anticipate the board will propose restrictions on the use of diversity statements in hiring and promotions. The board might also consider transferring a larger portion of Michigan’s diversity, equity, and inclusion budget towards recruitment initiatives and financial aid for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Michigan is considering changes that would make it one of the first selective public universities to reassess its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) initiatives internally, rather than in response to legislative mandates. The board of regents, who are elected by state voters and usually make decisions through agreement, is predominantly made up of Democrats with a 6-2 majority. According to Michigan’s state constitution, the regents have the final say in managing the university’s finances and overseeing the school in general.
The board of regents will convene on December 5th for their next meeting. However, talks between the regents and university officials have stirred controversy on Michigan’s campus lately. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) administrators are defending their work and advocating for their funding amidst criticisms.
A large group of supporters for diversity, equity, and inclusion met on 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 thinks 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.
Discussions on campus have highlighted a lack of clarity about the purpose of the D.E.I. program and the intentions of the regents. Some faculty and students are concerned that the regents may completely cut funding for the school’s D.E.I. initiatives, but this drastic measure is not currently being considered. There are also accusations that the regents plan to eliminate the 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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