The University of Michigan Board of Regents did not vote on defunding its diversity, equity, and inclusion program at its final meeting following protests on campus. The board announced it will no longer require diversity statements for faculty hiring or promotion. Despite reports of $250 million spent on diversity initiatives, the board stated there are no plans to cut these programs. The board also increased household income limits for tuition-free admission to make education more accessible. The program falls under Michigan’s DEI initiative, which some critics, including President-elect Donald Trump, want to eliminate. Some faculty and students support DEI, while others, like physics professor Keith Riles, argue against it, calling it discriminatory and citing concerns about the Black Lives Matter Movement. Student advocates urge the university to consider who is served and excluded and work towards improving access to education and prosperity. The board faced pressure from over 500 rally participants who opposed potential cuts to the program. While the board did not vote to defund DEI, the decision on faculty diversity statements raised concerns among supporters. Several board members spoke in favor of DEI, emphasizing the importance of creating an inclusive campus for diverse perspectives.
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The University of Michigan’s Board refrains from voting on defunding DEI
