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The University of Michigan is currently reviewing potential changes to its diversity program. As a prominent advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, the school is exploring a different strategy in response to criticism regarding the program’s effectiveness and 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 term as president and potential challenges to these initiatives from Republicans in government and academia.
Officials in charge of the university expressed their anticipation for the board to propose restrictions on diversity statements during the hiring and promotion processes. Additionally, the board is considering reallocating a larger 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 selective public universities to review its diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) practices internally, rather than in response to legislative pressure. The board, which is elected by state voters and mostly consists of Democrats, has a 6-2 majority and typically makes decisions through agreement. According to Michigan’s state constitution, the regents have the final say in the university’s financial matters and also supervise the overall operations of the institution.
The next meeting of the regents is scheduled for December 5th. However, there has been strong opposition on the Michigan campus in response to initial talks between the regents and other university officials. Administrators focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) have launched a campaign to defend their work and secure their funding.
A large group of supporters for diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) came together on the campus in Ann Arbor for a rally this past Monday.
One of the speakers, junior Pragya Choudhary, expressed that the D.E.I. initiatives at this university are not flawless in the eyes of the audience. However, she emphasized that everyone present acknowledges that the university would be in a worse state without these initiatives.
The discussions have highlighted a general lack of clarity on campus regarding the purpose of the D.E.I. program and the intentions of the regents. Certain faculty members and students have expressed concerns that the regents may completely cut funding for the school’s D.E.I. initiatives, although this drastic measure is not currently being considered. There have also been criticisms of 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 expand this program.
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