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The University of Michigan is considering making changes to its diversity program, which is known for being a strong advocate of diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.). This decision comes as critics raise concerns about the effectiveness of the program and its influence on campus culture.
Authored 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 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 university’s governing body stated in interviews that they anticipate the board will aim to impose restrictions on diversity statements during the hiring and promotion processes. Additionally, they may consider reallocating 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 public universities to reassess diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives without being pushed by legislation. The board, elected by state voters, is mostly made up of Democrats with a 6-2 majority and typically makes decisions through agreement. The state constitution gives the regents authority over the university’s finances and overall supervision of the institution.
The regents have scheduled their next meeting for December 5th. However, there has been strong opposition on Michigan’s campus in response to initial discussions between the regents and university officials. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) administrators are actively working to defend their work and secure funding amidst criticism.
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 speaker, Pragya Choudhary, a third-year student, mentioned that she believes no one in the audience thinks the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at the university are flawless. However, she emphasized that everyone present acknowledges that the university would be in a worse state without these initiatives.
The discussions have highlighted a larger sense of uncertainty among students and faculty on campus regarding the goals and intentions of the D.E.I. program and the regents. There are concerns that the regents might consider completely cutting funding for the school’s D.E.I. initiatives, although this extreme measure is not currently being considered. Some have criticized 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 actually expressed a desire to expand the program.
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