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The University of Michigan is looking at making changes to its diversity program, which is known for being a strong supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I). 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 Donald J. Trump’s second presidency and potential challenges to these initiatives from Republicans in government and academia.
Members of the board of regents for the university mentioned that they anticipate the board will propose restrictions on diversity statements in the hiring and promotion processes. Additionally, they may consider reallocating a larger portion of the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) budget towards recruitment efforts and financial aid for students from lower-income backgrounds.
The proposed changes would put Michigan at the forefront of selective public universities in reevaluating diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts without external pressure. The board, with a majority of Democrats, is elected by state voters and typically makes decisions through agreement. Regents have the final say over the university’s finances and provide overall supervision of the school according to Michigan’s state constitution.
The next meeting of the regents is scheduled for December 5th. However, there has been strong opposition on Michigan’s campus in response to initial conversations between the regents and other university officials. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) administrators are actively defending their work and advocating to maintain their funding amidst criticism.
A large group of supporters for diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) came together on the Ann Arbor campus for a rally on Monday.
One speaker, Pragya Choudhary, a junior, mentioned that she believes no one in the audience thinks the D.E.I. initiatives at this university are flawless. However, she is confident that everyone present understands that without these initiatives, the university would be in a worse state.
Discussions on campus have highlighted a general lack of understanding about the goals of the D.E.I. program and the intentions of the regents. Some faculty and students are concerned that the regents may completely stop funding the school’s D.E.I. initiatives, even though this drastic measure is not being considered. There are also criticisms against the regents for allegedly planning to eliminate the school’s Go Blue Guarantee, which covers full tuition for lower-income students from Michigan. However, the regents have stated that they actually want to extend the program.
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