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The University of Michigan is currently evaluating potential changes to its diversity program, which has been a major advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. This comes as some critics are raising concerns about the program’s effectiveness and its 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 adjustments 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.
The university’s board of regents mentioned in interviews that they anticipate the board will propose restrictions on diversity statements used in hiring and promotions. Additionally, the board may consider reallocating more of the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) budget towards recruitment initiatives and financial aid programs for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Michigan is looking to become one of the first selective public universities to reevaluate diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) without external legislative pressure. The board, elected by state voters, has a 6-2 majority of Democrats and typically makes decisions through consensus. The university’s finances are under the control of the regents as outlined in the state constitution, giving them oversight of the school as well.
The next meeting of the regents is scheduled for December 5th. However, there has been strong opposition on Michigan’s campus in response to initial conversations between the regents and university officials. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) administrators are actively defending their work and advocating for the retention of their funding.
Hundreds of supporters of diversity, equity, and inclusion gathered on the campus of Ann Arbor for a rally on Monday.
One of the speakers at the event, Pragya Choudhary, a junior, mentioned that she believes no one in the audience thinks the D.E.I. initiatives at the university are flawless. However, she emphasized that everyone present acknowledges that without these initiatives, the university would be in a worse state.
The discussions on campus have highlighted a general lack of understanding about the goals of the D.E.I. program and the intentions of the regents. Some faculty 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 accusations against the regents for potentially cutting the Go Blue Guarantee, a program that covers full tuition for low-income students from Michigan. However, the regents have stated that they actually plan to expand this program.
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