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The University of Michigan is considering making changes to its diversity program, which has been a major proponent of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. 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 promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, is considering making adjustments to its program in light of the upcoming second term of President Donald J. Trump and potential challenges to these initiatives from the Republican party in government and academia.
University officials in charge of decision-making mentioned that they anticipate the governing board will propose restrictions on the use of diversity statements in the hiring and promotion processes. Additionally, the board might consider reallocating a portion of the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) budget towards initiatives like recruiting programs and financial aid for students from low-income backgrounds.
Michigan is considering changes that would position it as one of the leading selective public universities to reassess diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) internally rather than in response to legislative mandates. The board of regents, which is elected by state voters and typically makes decisions through agreement, is dominated by Democrats with a 6-2 majority. The state constitution grants the regents full authority over the university’s finances and overall supervision 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 preliminary discussions between the regents and other university officials. Administrators in charge of diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) have launched a campaign to defend their work and ensure they continue to receive funding.
A group of supporters for diversity, equity, and inclusion came together on the campus in Ann Arbor for a rally on Monday.
During the speech, Pragya Choudhary, a junior, expressed that while nobody believes the D.E.I. initiatives at this university are flawless, it is recognized by all that the university would be in a worse state without them.
Discussions on campus have highlighted a lack of clarity regarding 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 extreme 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 aim to expand this program.
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