Prom
Backed by
The University of Michigan is reviewing potential changes to its diversity program, which has been a major advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. Critics are raising concerns about the program’s effectiveness and influence on campus culture, prompting the school to explore alternative strategies.
Written by Nicholas Confessore
The University of Michigan, known for its commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, is considering making changes to its program in response to potential challenges under the second presidency of Donald J. Trump and potential threats to these initiatives from Republican politicians in government and academia.
Members of the board in charge of the university mentioned in interviews that they plan to place restrictions on the use of diversity statements in the hiring and promotion process. Additionally, they are considering reallocating a larger portion of the university’s budget for diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) 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 reassess Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) without being forced by legislation. The board, which is elected by state voters and mostly operates through agreement, is primarily made up of Democrats with a 6-2 majority. The state constitution gives the regents authority over the university’s finances and general supervision of the school.
The Board of Regents is scheduled to convene on December 5th. However, there has been strong opposition from the Michigan campus community following initial conversations between the regents and university officials. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion administrators are actively defending their work and advocating for their funding to be maintained.
A rally took place on the Ann Arbor campus on Monday, where hundreds of supporters of diversity, equity, and inclusion gathered.
One of the speakers, Pragya Choudhary, a junior, expressed that she believes no one in the audience thinks the D.E.I. initiatives at this university are flawless. However, she emphasized that everyone present acknowledges that without these initiatives, the university would be in a worse state.
The discussions have highlighted a general lack of understanding on campus about the purpose of the D.E.I. program and the goals of the regents. There are concerns among faculty and students that the regents might completely cut funding for the school’s D.E.I. initiatives, but this drastic measure does not seem to be on the table. Some individuals have criticized the regents for allegedly considering cutting the Go Blue Guarantee, a program that covers full tuition for lower-income students from Michigan. However, the regents have actually expressed their desire to expand this program.
We are experiencing difficulties in accessing the content of the article.
To utilize all features, make sure to activate JavaScript in your
We appreciate your understanding as we confirm your access. If you are currently in Reader mode, please exit and sign in to your Times account, or consider subscribing to gain full access to The Times.
We appreciate your understanding as we confirm access.
Are you currently a user? Sign in to access your account
Interested in accessing all content from The Times? Subscribe now.
Prom
Index of the website
Navigation for finding information on