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The University of Michigan is currently evaluating potential changes to its diversity program, which is known for being a major advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. The school is exploring a new approach in response to criticisms about 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 program. This comes as colleges nationwide prepare for Donald J. Trump’s second presidency and potential Republican opposition to these initiatives in government and academia.
Members of the university’s governing body expressed their intention to propose restrictions on the use of diversity statements in the hiring and promotion processes. Additionally, they are considering reallocating a portion of the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion budget towards initiatives focused on recruiting lower-income students and providing tuition guarantees for them.
Michigan is considering changes that would make it one of the first selective public universities to reevaluate diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) without being influenced by legislative mandates. The board overseeing the university is mostly made up of Democrats, elected by state voters, and typically makes decisions through agreement. The state’s constitution grants the regents authority over the university’s finances and overall supervision of the institution.
The board of regents is scheduled to convene on December 5th. However, conversations between the regents and university officials have led to strong opposition on campus at the University of Michigan. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion administrators are actively defending their work and advocating to maintain their funding.
A large group of supporters for diversity, equity, and inclusion gathered at the Ann Arbor campus on Monday for a rally.
One speaker, Pragya Choudhary, a junior, expressed that everyone in the audience acknowledges that the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at the university are not flawless. However, she emphasized that these initiatives are crucial in making the university a better place.
The discussions on campus have highlighted a general lack of understanding 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 cut funding for the school’s D.E.I. initiatives, although this drastic measure is not currently being considered. There are also criticisms towards 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 plan to expand this program.
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