In recent years, several universities have scaled back their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices.
Townhall covered how the board of governors for the University of North Carolina (UNC) System voted to replace its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. This policy impacted 17 public universities across the state.
That’s not all. Shortly after, the University of Alabama (UA) System campuses, which includes the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama in Huntsville closed their DEI offices, as Townhall also covered.
This month, another large university followed suit.
The University of Michigan announced Thursday that it was closing its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) office over President Donald Trump’s policies regarding woke indoctrination in education.
“These decisions have not been made lightly. We recognize the changes are significant and will be challenging for many of us, especially those whose lives and careers have been enriched by and dedicated to programs that are now pivoting,” the announcement said.
The press release explained that the DEI strategic plan was implemented in 2016.
“We have also heard concerns about the balance of resources between administration and direct student support,” the message stated. “Some in our campus community have voiced frustration that they did not feel included in DEI initiatives and that the programming fell short in fostering connections among diverse groups.”
“The work to remove barriers to student success is inherently challenging, and our leadership has played a vital role in shaping inclusive excellence throughout higher education,” it said.
BREAKING: “University of Michigan ends its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in the wake of new guidance from the Trump administration”
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 28, 2025
DEI IS DEAD pic.twitter.com/zcBj8Jqqvk
In January, President Donald Trump ended “illegal discrimination” in universities and restored merit-based opportunities.
“Illegal DEI and DEIA policies not only violate the text and spirit of our longstanding Federal civil-rights laws, they also undermine our national unity, as they deny, discredit, and undermine the traditional American values of hard work, excellence, and individual achievement in favor of an unlawful, corrosive, and pernicious identity-based spoils system. Hardworking Americans who deserve a shot at the American Dream should not be stigmatized, demeaned, or shut out of opportunities because of their race or sex,” a statement from the White House said.
