The University of Michigan Board of Regents avoided a vote to defund its DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) program during its final meeting of the year, despite mounting scrutiny and campus protests. Since 2016, the university has reportedly allocated $250 million to DEI initiatives, drawing both praise and criticism.
Board member Michael Behm reassured attendees, stating, “There are no plans to make any cuts to these programs.” The board avoided directly addressing rumors of defunding, with one member cautioning, “Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.”
During the meeting, students and faculty voiced strong support for the embattled program, highlighting its role in fostering inclusion on the 51,000-student campus. However, the board announced it would no longer require diversity statements from faculty during hiring or promotion.
Meanwhile, the board expanded the Go Blue Guarantee, a tuition-free initiative for high-achieving in-state students. The income threshold for eligibility was raised from $65,000 to $125,000, a step aimed at increasing accessibility and equity. University President Santa J. Ono described the adjustment as a “commitment to making education more accessible to all Michiganders.”
Board member Mark Bernstein emphasized the program’s importance, stating, “Intelligence and talent are spread equally across society, but opportunity is not.”
Some critics, however, remained steadfast in their opposition. Physics professor Keith Riles called DEI efforts “discriminatory,” urging the university to dismantle them entirely.
Michigan’s decision comes amid a broader national debate on DEI in higher education, with some states banning such programs at public universities. Protests on campus drew over 500 students and faculty, reflecting the passionate divide over DEI’s future at one of the nation’s premier public institutions.
