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The University of Michigan is considering changes to its diversity program, which has been a major supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. Critics are questioning the program’s effectiveness and how it has impacted campus life.
Written by Nicholas Confessore
The University of Michigan, known for its strong support for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives 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 Republicans in government and academia.
University regents stated in interviews that they anticipate the board will propose restrictions on diversity statements in the hiring and promotion process. Additionally, the board may consider reallocating a 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 public universities to review Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) without being forced by the government. The board overseeing the university has a majority of Democrats, who are elected by the state’s voters and typically make decisions together. According to Michigan’s state constitution, the regents have the final say on the university’s finances and overall management of the school.
The regents are scheduled to meet on December 5th. However, there has been strong opposition on Michigan’s campus in response to initial talks 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.
Hundreds of supporters of diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) came together on the campus of Ann Arbor for a rally on Monday.
One of the speakers, junior Pragya Choudhary, expressed that while the D.E.I. initiatives at the university may not be flawless, everyone in the audience acknowledges that the university would be in a worse state without them.
The discussions have highlighted a wider sense of uncertainty among students and faculty on campus about the purpose of the D.E.I. program and the intentions of the regents. There are concerns that the regents may completely stop funding the D.E.I. efforts at the school, although this extreme measure is not being considered. Some individuals have criticized the regents for allegedly planning to eliminate the Go Blue Guarantee, which covers full tuition for low-income students from Michigan. However, the regents have actually expressed their desire to enhance the program.
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