U-M Faces Pressure to Rebuild Diversity Programs After DEI Shutdown

Black students lament loss of access, but critics say the university simply repackaged its DEI efforts.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:11pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a stack of college textbooks in vibrant shades of blue, yellow, and red, repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the diversity and academic mission of the university.The vibrant visual style of pop art captures the energy and diversity of the university community's efforts to reinstate critical diversity programs.Ann Arbor Today

The University of Michigan ended its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiative a year ago after pressure from the Trump administration, leading to the closure of programs and job losses. Now, Black students and faculty are pushing to restore many of the eliminated initiatives, while the university says it remains committed to diversity through other programs.

Why it matters

The DEI shutdown at U-M, one of the nation's top public universities, highlights the broader challenges facing higher education institutions in maintaining and expanding diversity efforts in the face of political pressure. The issue of representation and support for underrepresented minority students is a key concern for the campus community.

The details

U-M discontinued the DEI initiative after President Donald Trump threatened to cut federal funding to schools with such programs. The move led to the closure of two DEI offices, the end of a campus strategic plan, and the elimination of programs operating in 51 schools and administrative units. Some initiatives designed to diversify faculty and graduate students were also dropped. While U-M says it has redirected funding to student programs like the Go Blue Guarantee, Black students and some faculty argue the university has not done enough to restore the lost access and commitment to diversity.

  • In March 2025, U-M announced it was terminating its DEI initiative.
  • In January 2026, the Trump administration abandoned an appeal of a lawsuit challenging the president's funding cut threat to schools with DEI programs.

The players

Yacine Lo

A U-M junior and speaker of the university's Black Student Union.

Derek Peterson

A U-M history professor and faculty senate chair, who is advocating for the university to restore eliminated diversity programs.

Robert Sellers

A U-M psychology professor who was the university's first chief diversity officer and oversaw the initial phase of the DEI initiative.

Mark Perry

A retired U-M Flint professor and longtime DEI critic who argues the university didn't go far enough in eliminating diversity efforts.

Tabbye Chavous

U-M's former chief diversity officer, who argues that a few programs are not enough to change the campus culture without the accountability provided by the DEI initiative.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Since DEI was cut … we don't have that level of access and that level of commitment from them anymore. Since then, we've not really been heard.”

— Yacine Lo, Speaker, U-M Black Student Union

“It's important that our faculty and our students don't look like an island of white people in the midst of a state that is racially, culturally, economically diverse. We have an opening here politically to reinitiate our leadership around racial justice concerns, and I hope that our university will seize the moment.”

— Derek Peterson, Faculty Senate Chair, U-M

“The data clearly show that students, faculty, and staff became significantly more diverse in terms of race, gender, first generation status, and socioeconomic status … using approaches that were legal under (state law). The entire community was not only highly involved but also saw this as a success.”

— Robert Sellers, Former Chief Diversity Officer, U-M

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.