The University of Michigan announced on Thursday it will close the doors to its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices.
In a message to the university, the president and other top leaders said that recent executive orders and uncertainties in funding from President Donald Trump have led them to abolish DEI programming.
“We are writing today to share important updates related to programs and central offices supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).” I said In a joint statement.
“Conversations about these institutional efforts have been underway since at least 2023, and with recent federal executive orders, guidance and funding cuts, we are moving forward with changes affecting the University of Michigan and the Michigan Medical community to bring urgency to this issue,” they added.
The Trump administration is asking Scotus to approve DEI-related education cuts
Recent executive orders from President Donald Trump and funding uncertainty have led the University of Michigan to abolish DEI programming. (Getty Images)
University of Michigan It's begun The 2016 “First DEI Strategic Plan” developed the DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan for 2023-2028.
Action items in the plan include “enhancing international graduate student diversity,” “enhancing the representation and experience of black students,” “DEI in carbon neutrality and sustainability initiatives,” and “improving religious, spiritual and pagan diversity on campus.”
New York Times The University of Michigan reported that by last fall it had spent about $250 million on DEI efforts. Report The Heritage Foundation revealed that the facility had 163 DEI staff members.
The announcement of the DEI closure comes as federal funding for schools is under scrutiny from Trump.
In February, the Civil Rights Education Department told all states' departments of education that they either had the risk of removing DEI policies or losing federal funds.
A”FAQ“The University of Michigan's new DEI change page specifies that students' services, which are part of the DEI office, will be migrated to other offices and continue to support access and opportunities.
The staff responsible for implementing the DEI have been instructed to “focus their full effort on their core responsibilities.” A review of the university's website will be conducted to ensure it complies with Trump's executive order.
The Department of Education warns that public schools need to remove DEI policies or lose federal funds
In February, the Civil Rights Education Department told all states' departments of education that they either had the risk of removing DEI policies or losing federal funds. (Getty Images)
The university also said it will focus on student investments, including increasing financial aid, “enhancing mental health support,” “celebrating cultural and ethnic programs,” and working to support academics and scholarships.
A statement from the conservative Goldwater Institute praised the news carefully.
“To truly restore the intellectual integrity of the university, its administrators must ensure that students are eliminated currently enforced DEI requirements through mandatory academic course requirements, including those offered on labels offered under the different “racial and ethnic” categories that undergraduate students must complete.”
The University of Michigan was one of many universities in the United States that rewind part of the DEI program this year. (Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
“Not only is such a requirement explicitly rooted in promoting a politicized narrative centered around “racial, ethnic, racism,” “racial and ethnic intolerance and the resulting inequality as it arises in the United States,” but it also redirects millions of dollars of student tuition fees and taxpayer funds into such politicized coursework.”
Fox News Digital I contacted the University of Michigan and contacted the White House, but did not receive an immediate response.
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