University Of Michigan Shutters DEI Offices In Response To Trump’s Executive Orders, Funding Threats

The university's president and other top leaders have issued statements on the issue. They explained that the “progressive” day office will be shut down due to recent executive orders from President Donald Trump and cuts in funding.

“These decisions have not been underestimated,” reads a presentation from university staff. “We recognize that change is important and challenges many of us, especially those who are dedicated to programs that are enriched by current programs and are currently being pivoted.”

“Conversations about these institutional efforts have been underway since at least 2023, and recent federal executive orders, guidance and funding have led to changes that will affect the University of Michigan and the Michigan Medical community to bring urgency to this issue,” they added.

Additionally, the university will also close the “Health Equity and Inclusion Office” and, according to the release, it will cancel its DEI 2.0 strategic plan. The move, following the university's decision last year, no longer requires a diversity statement for faculty employment, promotion or tenure.

In its 2023 landmark decision, the Supreme Court ruled that race cannot no longer be the same determinant of university admissions as before. Republicans have long criticized it as being inherently discriminatory, claiming they have “people of color” that are unfairly favorable over white people, including Indian students and Asian applicants.

According to university admissions insiders who spoke with the press previously, students of color were often recognized for lower high school GPAs, SAT or ACT scores, and essays with less convincing applications compared to their white and Asian peers.

New York Times The University of Michigan spent nearly $250 million on DEI efforts until last fall, and a report from the Heritage Foundation found the agency had 163 DEI staff.

The DEI closure comes as federal funding for schools was under strict scrutiny by Trump.

In February, the Department of Education on Civil Rights (DOE) wrote to all state education departments saying they could risk removing DEI policies or losing federal funds.

Additionally, the FAQ page for the school's DEI change specified that services for students, which were part of the DEI office, would “continue to migrate to other offices and support access and opportunities.” Staff responsible for implementing DEIs have been instructed to “focus full effort on core responsibility.”

The memo said the school will also focus on increasing financial aid, “enhancing mental health support,” “blessings of cultural and ethnic programs,” and investments for students working to support scholars and scholarships.

In 2021, the Heritage Foundation reported that the University of Michigan has the most university DEI employees in the nation, with 163 on staff.

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