University of Michigan Closes Diversity Office After Investing $250M in DEI

You won’t believe this, but the University of Michigan has decided to turn things around. After shoveling almost $250 million into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts over time, two key offices in that arena are now being shuttered, according to the Detroit Free Press. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI), along with the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion (OHEI), are both being taken off the books.

However, that doesn’t mean the university plans to toss the DEI work to the wind. Student-facing services within ODEI will transition to other offices, focusing more narrowly on student access and opportunity. In fact, it’s a strategic move for the university to make more significant progress in areas where they believe they can make the most difference.

But here’s the surprising part. The university’s DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan, which had been the guiding principle for a variety of initiatives across the campus, is being scrapped altogether. This includes everything related to programming, progress reporting, training and funding. Those poised at the helm of these efforts will get to direct their energies on their primary roles.

The question then becomes: What does this mean for underrepresented communities at the university? How does the strategy shift from these offices and the discontinuation of the DEI 2.0 Strategic plan impact them? That’s something we all must keep our eyes peeled on so that the progress intended for inclusion and equity doesn’t lose traction.