University of Michigan Faces Lawsuit Over Diversity Practices
The University of Michigan has been sued amid allegations of discrimination, specifically that it excludes straight white male applicants from its Student Law Journal in the name of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A nonprofit organization, which opposes the affirmative action lawsuit, criticized the University of Michigan Law School’s Student Law Journal for using racial and gender preferences in its selection process on June 18. The complaint asserts that, historically, new members were chosen based on their grades and performance in a writing contest. However, it contends that some students, particularly those with left-leaning views, were dissatisfied with the results of this selection process. They reportedly influenced a shift towards considering race and gender in choosing new members.
The lawsuit claims that the Michigan Legal Review asks applicants to submit a 750-word personal statement as part of the application process. Interestingly, applicants are prompted to disclose their gender, sexual orientation, and sexual identity.
According to the lawsuit, 60% of new members are selected through a “comprehensive review” that takes personal statements into account alongside academic achievements. The complaint alleges that the review process favored women, racial minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals who outperformed heterosexual white men in the writing competition by placing more importance on their demographics rather than solely their scores.
“The Comprehensive Review Committee has allegedly manipulated the selection process to maintain what they consider a ‘diverse’ membership, including sufficient numbers of women, non-Asian minorities, and LGBTQ+ students,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit also raises concerns about how articles are selected for publication, suggesting that the legal journal prioritizes diversity in voices and encourages editors to reference “allied identities” in sourcing materials.
This legal action was brought forth by the nonprofit organization FASORP, which comprises faculty, alumni, and students opposing racial preferences. It names several entities, including the University of Michigan, its Law Journal, and individuals connected to the journal’s Comprehensive Review Board.
As of now, the University of Michigan and the Michigan legal reviews have not responded to inquiries for comment regarding the allegations.
The university has denied the claims, stating through spokeswoman Kay Jarvis that it is committed to adhering to the law and plans to vigorously defend against the allegations made in the lawsuit.
This lawsuit arises during increased scrutiny of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public universities, particularly following actions taken by the Trump administration aimed at eliminating racial and gender identity considerations in these policies.
In March, the University of Michigan announced it would close its DEI offices amidst concerns over potential funding cuts tied to executive orders from the prior administration, which intensified discussions surrounding this topic.
Previously, in February, the Civil Rights Education Department had warned state education departments that they risked losing federal funding if they did not remove DEI policies.
