University of Michigan shuts down DEI offices, citing Trump executive actions.
Resources will be shifted towards supporting student success, mental health, President Santa Ono says.
On Thursday, the University of Michigan announced that it was shuttering two of its diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and terminating its university-wide DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan. This decision comes as the University was under fire from the Trump Administration for its DEI practices.
In a statement from the office of University President Santa Ono, university leadership cited recent executive actions from the Trump administration targeting DEI programs at publicly funded universities.
Leaders from across the university worked intensely and in close partnership with national associations, policy advisers and others to navigate the many complicated implications of new federal directives. Since this work began, federal actions against DEI programming have intensified.
Last Thursday, the Fourth Circuit of Appeals issued a decision allowing the enforcement of two related executive orders: Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity and Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.
That same day, another executive order, Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities, directed the Secretary of Education to take steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and demanded further scrutiny of diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Last month, the Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague Letter that interprets the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision striking down race-based affirmative action in college admissions to apply to other university policies and programs beyond admissions decisions.
Based on our assessment of input from various stakeholders regarding our DEI programs – along with recent federal actions – and after conversations with Regents, university leaders, deans and government officials, we are implementing the following changes, effective immediately, in alignment with many of our peers at public and private institutions.
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) and the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion (OHEI) will close. Student-facing services in ODEI will shift to other offices focused on student access and opportunity.
The DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan, the umbrella strategy for schools, colleges and units, will be discontinued, along with DEI 2.0 unit plans, related programming, progress reporting, training and funding. Individual leads, who have supported DEI efforts in schools, colleges and units, will refocus their full effort on their core responsibilities.
All units will evaluate their web presence to reflect the status of current programmatic directions and for compliance with federal executive orders and guidance.
The decision to end the use of diversity statements in faculty hiring, which was made earlier this academic year, will be applied universitywide; and statements related to a person’s commitment to DEI will no longer be solicited or considered in admissions, hiring, promotion, awards, annual reviews or other assessments for faculty and staff. 
The Office of the General Counsel will initiate an expedited review to ensure all policies, programs and practices comply with federal law and guidance.
The University assures students that the end of DEI will not mean the end of support services and celebrations of ethnic diversity:
We remain committed to fostering an environment that values and supports every member of our community and honors diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. In the months ahead, the university will increase investments in student-facing programs. This will include the following.
Expanding financial aid: As previously announced, we have expanded the Go Blue Guarantee to benefit families with an income of $125,000 or less. Additionally, we will continue exploring ways to further reduce the cost of attendance.
Enhancing mental health support: We will increase mental health resources to better support all students.
Expanding the Blavin Scholars Program1: Given its exceptional impact, we will develop a plan to expand this program to serve more students.
Strengthening academic success: We will explore ways to enhance student success through improved advising, counseling and pre-professional guidance. Additionally, we will continue investing in innovative approaches, such as our 24/7 AI tutors and a personal AI assistant for every member of our community.
Fostering community and belonging: We will seek opportunities to expand student life programs that strengthen community, promote a sense of belonging and expand accessibility.
Preserving key student spaces: We remain committed to maintaining vital student spaces, including the Trotter Multicultural Center, the Spectrum Center and various multicultural spaces in residence halls, all of which are open to all students.
Celebrating cultural and ethnic programs: We will continue to support cultural and ethnic events that enrich our campus and foster a vibrant, inclusive environment.
The discontinuation of Michigan’s institutional DEI programs comes about a week after the LEAD Scholars program, a flagship diversity scholarship program sponsored by the Michigan Alumni Association, was also terminated, citing similar concerns about federal law, state law, and executive order compliance.