Faculty at the University of Michigan (U-M) are rallying against potential reductions to the university’s $250-million DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) program, organizing protests to coincide with key meetings this week. Concerns stem from allegations that the university’s Board of Regents is considering defunding elements of the program in the upcoming fiscal year.
A petition signed by more than 1,000 faculty members accuses the regents of privately discussing significant DEI changes. Protests began today at noon on the Ann Arbor campus with a second demonstration planned for Thursday, ahead of the regents’ meeting.
“With seemingly no interest in accessing evidence about the successes or challenges of the program, the regents cannot understand what DEI encompasses,” Faculty Senate Chair Rebekah Modrak wrote in a letter to her colleagues Nov. 20.
University leaders confirmed ongoing discussions about DEI policies but denied that decisions have been finalized. Regent Sarah Hubbard, a Republican, said the board is scrutinizing the effectiveness of DEI programs and exploring alternatives, including reinvesting in initiatives like the Go Blue Guarantee, which supports free tuition for low-income students.
“We really are taking a critical look at the programs and the spending,” Hubbard told Fox News.
Faculty critics argue that these discussions signal a shift toward conservative political pressures following Donald Trump’s recent presidential victory.
“My concern is that the regents will be making a decision based on reactionary reasons,” U-M psychology professor Kevin Cokley told the Michigan-based news group MLive. “I hope there is a discussion at the highest levels… on how to make DEI more effective — not eliminate, not reduce, but improve them.”
Despite assurances from university spokesperson Kay Jarvis that diversity remains a priority, faculty like Cokley are advocating for improvement rather than cuts. Michigan launched its DEI efforts in 2016 with an $85-million initiative, which expanded into DEI 2.0 in 2023. Regents may publicly discuss further changes, including removing diversity statements, at Thursday’s meeting. Faculty remain steadfast in their demand for transparency and meaningful dialogue about the program’s future.
