University of Michigan shuts down DEI office amid federal funding cuts

By lauraharris // 2025-03-31

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Due to financial pressures following a recent executive order from President Donald Trump, the University of Michigan is shutting down its DEI office, discontinuing programs and relocating some services to other departments.
Since 2016, the university invested $250 million in DEI initiatives, including increasing Black student representation and supporting international students. Around 163 DEI-related staff positions were created.
Trump's executive order restricting diversity programs in federally funded institutions has led to similar DEI office closures or restructuring at 270+ colleges across 38 states, including Ohio State University, Northeastern University and University of Southern California.
The university will now focus on financial aid, mental health, cultural programs and scholarships. Staff previously dedicated to DEI will return to "core responsibilities."
Some schools, like the University of Kentucky, the University of Wyoming and Arizona State University, have cut ties with The PhD Project (supporting Black/Latino business doctoral students) amid federal investigations into potential racial discrimination in fellowships.

The University of Michigan (UMich) is set to close its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) office due to financial uncertainty following a recent executive order from President Donald Trump. In 2o16, the university first launched its DEI strategic plan, followed by an updated five-year plan in 2023. Initiatives included increasing Black student representation, supporting international graduate students and integrating DEI into sustainability efforts. The university has spent roughly $250 million on DEI programs as of fall 2023 and hired about 163 DEI-related staff positions. However, as federal funding for higher education faces heightened scrutiny following Trump's executive order restricting certain diversity programs in federally funded institutions, the university decided to close its DEI office. In a joint statement on March 27, UMich President Santa Ono and other senior leaders informed the campus community that DEI programming would be discontinued, with some services shifting to other departments. "We write today to share important updates related to programs and central offices that support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)," they said. "Conversations about these institutional efforts have been ongoing since at least 2023 and, with recent federal executive orders, guidance and funding cuts bringing urgency to the issue, we are moving forward with changes that will impact our community at the University of Michigan and Michigan Medicine." The university's FAQ page also clarified that some student services previously managed by the DEI office will be relocated to other departments, while staff previously dedicated to DEI efforts will now focus on their "core responsibilities." Additionally, the school plans to review its website to ensure compliance with federal guidelines. Moving forward, the university said it will prioritize financial aid, mental health support, cultural programs and academic scholarships.

Report: Around 270 college campuses scrapped DEI programs following Trump's executive order

UMich is not the only one scrapping its DEI offices. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, around 270 college campuses in 38 states are restructuring or dismantling DEI programs. The report revealed a wave of closures, rebranding and reduced support for initiatives that foster diversity. (Related: Universities scrap DEI programs amid federal pressure, even in California.) For instance, the Ohio State University is closing its Office of Diversity and Inclusion and canceling some services, though officials say broader DEI efforts will continue in other forms. Similarly, the Northeastern University renamed its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to "Belonging in Northeastern." Meanwhile, the University of Southern California announced plans to dissolve its university-wide Office of Inclusion and Diversity. Several institutions have also distanced themselves from The PhD Project, a nonprofit that supports Black and Latino students pursuing business doctorates. The U.S. Education Department cited the organization in a March 14 announcement that it was investigating dozens of universities, including the University of Michigan, for potential racial discrimination in fellowship programs. In response, the University of Kentucky, the University of Wyoming and Arizona State University all confirmed they were ending institutional support for The PhD Project. Head over to Wokies.news for more stories like this. Watch Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declaring that DEI is done at the University of Virginia in this Fox News interview.

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Report: Around 270 college campuses scrapped DEI programs following Trump's executive order

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