University of Michigan Ends Diversity Statements

The decision follows faculty recommendations and reflects a broader national trend of reevaluating DEI initiatives in higher education.

The University of Michigan announced it will no longer require diversity statements for faculty hiring, promotion, or tenure, citing concerns about limiting freedom of expression and diversity of thought.
The decision was based on an October 31 recommendation from a faculty working group that surveyed nearly 2,000 faculty members and reviewed practices at other universities.
Since 2016, the university has spent over $250 million on DEI initiatives, with more than half allocated to staff salaries and benefits, prompting criticism of administrative bloat.
The university's Board of Regents is considering reallocating DEI funding to programs like tuition guarantees for low-income students and expanded recruitment efforts, though no cuts have been approved yet.
The move aligns with similar actions by institutions like Harvard and MIT, as debates over the future of DEI programs intensify in academia and corporate sectors.