University of Michigan to Close Diversity Office Amid Executive Orders

In a significant institutional shift, the University of Michigan has announced the closure of its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) along with the termination of related initiatives across its campuses. This decision follows executive orders from the Trump administration and internal deliberations at the university. An email from President Santa Ono and top leaders communicated these changes, which also impact the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion at Michigan Medicine. Despite their success in increasing enrollment among first-generation and low-income students, the DEI programs are being cut, ostensibly to reallocate resources. The university affirms its commitment to inclusivity through other measures such as the Go Blue Guarantee scholarship and improved mental health support. On campus, reactions are polarized. While some see this as a necessary financial reallocation, others, like student Jordyn Sienkiewicz, express distress and a feeling of betrayal, noting the institution's departure from long-standing progressive values. Critics of the DEI programs argue that admissions should focus purely on merit, suggesting that the cuts might stimulate more open dialogue among students. This move marks a contentious pivot for the university, completing years of psychological and financial investments in diversity initiatives.