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The University of Michigan is shutting down its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) office, ending its multimillion-dollar commitment to the program.
In an email on Thursday (March 27), university officials announced the closure, citing President Donald Trump's executive orders on "restoring merit-based opportunity" and the Education Department's "Dear Colleague" letter that threatened to pull federal funding from schools that didn't eliminate their DEI efforts, per Politico.
The University of Michigan was long considered a model for DEI initiatives in academia nationwide. Michigan launched its DEI office in 2016 “to enact far-reaching foundational change at every level, in every unit” and poured nearly $250 million into the program, per the New York Times.
Amid pressure from the Trump administration, the university is closing its DEI office and office for Health Equity and Inclusion. The university's DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan, a reimagined version of their original DEI strategy, will be discontinued. Diversity statements for hiring, admissions, promotions, awards, and more will also no longer be allowed. The university said it will be updating its website to comply with federal law.
“These decisions have not been made lightly. We recognize the changes are significant and will be challenging for many of us, especially those whose lives and careers have been enriched by and dedicated to programs that are now pivoting,” university officials said Thursday.
Amid the DEI reversal, Michigan said it would pour investments into financial aid, scholarship programs, and mental health support.
“We are deeply grateful for the meaningful contributions of leaders, faculty, and staff who have advanced our ongoing efforts to create an ever-more inclusive and respectful community,” Thursday's letter read.
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