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The University of Michigan is considering making changes to its diversity program, which is known for being a major advocate of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I) in higher education. This decision comes as critics raise concerns about the effectiveness of the program and its influence on campus culture.
Written by Nicholas Confessore
The University of Michigan, known for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, is considering adjustments to its program in response to potential challenges under the upcoming second term of President Donald J. Trump and Republican opposition to these initiatives in both government and academia.
Members of the board of regents at the university expressed their intention to propose restrictions on the use of diversity statements in the hiring and promotion processes. They are also considering reallocating a portion of the university’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 review Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) practices internally, rather than due to external pressure from legislation. The board, which is elected by state voters and mostly consists of Democrats, has a 6-2 majority and typically makes decisions through agreement. Regents, as outlined in Michigan’s state constitution, have the final say on the university’s finances and provide general supervision over the school.
The next meeting of the regents is scheduled for Dec. 5. However, recent conversations between the regents and other university officials have faced strong opposition on Michigan’s campus. Administrators focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) have launched a campaign to defend their work and secure their funding.
A rally was held 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, junior Pragya Choudhary, expressed that she believes no one in the audience thinks the D.E.I. initiatives at the university are flawless. However, she emphasized that everyone recognizes the importance of these initiatives in making the university a better place.
The discussions have highlighted a general lack of clarity on campus 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 stop funding the school’s D.E.I. initiatives, but this extreme measure does not seem to be on the table. 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 actually stated that they want to grow the program.
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