The University of Michigan is shutting down its operations. Office of Inclusivity, Equality and Diversity , a significant step back for an institution that has consistently promoted its progressive principles following executive orders President Donald Trump those that have implemented comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the country.
University President Santa Ono notified staff members via a declaration published on the institution’s webpage.
As announced in the statement signed by Ono, Provost Laurie McCauley, Marschall Runge, the executive vice president of medical affairs, and Executive Vice President Geoffrey Chatas, both the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) and the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion (OHEI) will be shutting down," stated the institution. "Services within ODEI that cater specifically to students will transition into various departments dedicated to enhancing student accessibility and opportunities.
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The statement continued as follows: "The DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan, which serves as an overarching strategy for schools, colleges, and units, will be terminated, alongside the DEI 2.0 unit plans, associated programs, progress tracking, education initiatives, and financial support. The individuals who have been driving DEI endeavors within these institutions will redirect their complete focus towards fulfilling their primary duties."
The choice faced swift criticism from a faculty member at the institution.
The federal government is committed to restructuring and regulating higher education with the aim of making our academic institutions more standardized, less equitable, and more selective," wrote Rebekah Modrak, who chairs the Faculty Senate, in an email to her colleagues regarding the decision. "By leveraging governmental authority, they intend to orchestrate a broad cultural shift toward white supremacy. Sadly, it appears that the leadership at the University of Michigan is intent on adhering to these directives and assisting in their self-destruction.
Modrak, who teaches art and design, asked fellow professors to join an urgent Zoom conference at 12 PM on Friday to address the issue. According to her, this choice jeopardizes academic liberty.
"The mistakes made by our university won’t stop now; they will result in the censoring of course and program materials, just as we’ve seen happen in Texas and Ohio," she stated.
The number of potential job losses due to the university's choice remains uncertain. However, Provost McCauley informed employees via email that this move takes place against a backdrop heightened oversight of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within academia, influenced by recent federal directives, court rulings, and advisories.
She mentioned that these modifications would impact multiple esteemed coworkers, who have already received notifications. Although I am unable to disclose detailed information due to my commitment to respecting the privacy of those impacted colleagues, rest assured that we are dedicated to offering necessary support and resources to assist these team members through this challenging period of change."
She mentioned that certain initiatives aimed at fostering a varied campus environment will stay the same.
“But you should be aware that every effort put forth by our ODEI team members will leave an enduring impact,” she stated. “They’ve played a role in reshaping our culture and altering the perspective through which we view one another.” She continued, “These coworkers have ignited flames within our societies that people will continue nurturing regardless of shifts in circumstances, so long as inequity and unfairness persist.”
Historical perspective on investments in diversity, equity, and inclusion
Michigan has made significant investments in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in recent years.
In 2016, the institution declared an $85 million investment. strategic plan intended to increase diversity. As of last year, the institution had invested over $250 million in these initiatives, as revealed by an investigation conducted by The New York Times .
The DEI office states on their website that they "oversee and support numerous campus-wide programs and establish policies at an organizational level aimed at attracting and retaining a highly diversified group of students, teachers, and personnel."
It presently encompasses a Center for Educational Outreach, the National Center for Institutional Diversity, the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, and Wolverine Pathways—a program designed to assist students in grades 7 through 12 from traditionally underserved schools.
Even with these initiatives, the school continues to face challenges in increasing the enrollment of college students from underrepresented minority groups, particularly Black students.
In 2022, only 4.5% of its undergraduates were part of that group. identified as Black within a state where approximately 14% of the population is Black.
The school has tried to increase enrollment from underrepresented groups through methods not explicitly based on race, such as broadening the " Go Blue Guarantee which offers free tuition for in-state students whose households earn up to $125,000 annually and have assets totaling up to $125,000.
The former income limit was set at $75,000.
As part of the announcement made on Thursday, the school reiterated its commitment To "cultivate a setting where each member of our community feels valued and supported, and their varied backgrounds, viewpoints, and experiences are respected."
Along with the Go Blue Guarantee, it was mentioned that they would improve mental health resources for students and broaden the Blavins Scholars The program provides mentorship to students who lack parental support and those raised in foster care or kinship care environments.
The institution mentioned that it intends to enhance counseling services, provide more tutoring, and increase initiatives aimed at making students feel like they belong.
"The institution remains dedicated to sustaining essential student areas such as the Trotter Multicultural Center, the Spectrum Center, and several multicultural spaces within dormitories, all of which are accessible to every student," the school stated.
Regent Jordan Acker stated that the institution continues to be dedicated to maintaining a varied student body, and this change aims to enhance the effectiveness of the school’s diversity initiatives.
In recent years, the university has invested $250 million in diversity initiatives; however, the number of minority students at U-M hasn’t significantly increased—moreover, much of this funding has been allocated to administrative costs rather than student recruitment,” Acker stated. “For the University of Michigan, our diversity efforts should prioritize substantive changes over bureaucratic processes.
Applause and reproach
In A statement published on Twitter , Regent Sarah Hubbard expressed her approval of the decision.
“We are reducing unnecessary bureaucracy and enhancing accessibility for everyone in Michigan,” she stated. “By discontinuing DEI initiatives, we can improve the diversity of ideas and promote greater freedom of expression on our campus.”
U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib from Detroit criticized the decision vehemently.
Students at the University of Michigan deserve an administration that will stand up for their rights and strive to guarantee that every individual has the chance to flourish, rather than giving in and surrendering to pressure. Trump "attacks on academic liberty and students' constitutional rights," she stated in a release.
The decision to shut down the DEI office represents the most recent adjustment in the institution's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
In December, the university declared it would cease soliciting. diversity statements from prospective faculty members.
Additionally, in December, the institution initiated an investigation. backlash from faculty When they dismissed Rachel Dawson, who led the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, due to allegations that she made antisemitic comments.
Last week, the University of Michigan Alumni Association concluded its LEAD Scholarship program , with the aim of increasing minority participation on campus.
Reach out to John Wisely at jwisely@freepress.com. You can also find him on X:@jwisely .
The article initially appeared in the Detroit Free Press. The University of Michigan, a long-standing advocate for progressive principles, plans to shut down its DEI office.