In a recent email to the University of Michigan Faculty Senate, Professor Rebekah Modrak raised concerns about a request made to the university’s academic deans. They were asked to compile lists of employees involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) roles, detailing how much of their work falls into specific categories. Alarmingly, the deans had just 48 hours to complete these lists, with a deadline set for February 14.
This request seems to have emerged from the U-M Board of Regents, though no official comments have been issued in response. Interestingly, the timing of this request coincides with a memo from former President Donald Trump, which threatened U.S. schools with funding cutbacks if they did not scale back their diversity initiatives.
Modrak expressed uncertainty over whether the lists would include faculty, staff, or both, and whether the individuals listed would be informed. She has tried to get clarification from U-M’s President Santa Ono and Provost Laurie McCauley but has yet to receive clear answers.
Reports indicate that the names of DEI-related employees may not be disclosed to the regents, but this has not been confirmed by university officials. Publicly, some regents, like Jordan Acker and Sarah Hubbard, have called for a dismantling of DEI programs, with Acker controversially linking DEI efforts to antisemitism.
In an official statement, university spokesperson Kay Jarvis acknowledged that U-M is reviewing federal executive orders but offered few details about the requests from deans. The lack of transparency has heightened concerns among faculty about how this information will be used. Modrak noted that some executive officers expressed their fears about becoming targets for reprisal if they spoke out against the request.
Modrak sought to inform the Faculty Senate after a colleague suggested it was crucial for faculty to know about these developments. She aims to foster open communication within the university community. In her email, Modrak drew parallels to the McCarthy era when lists of individuals were created under the pretense of protecting national security. She recalled the suspension of three U-M faculty members in 1954 who refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee. This historical episode left a lasting impact on the U-M culture, creating an atmosphere of distrust and caution around contentious topics.
Several faculty members, including Rogério Pinto, a social work professor, echoed Modrak’s concerns. Pinto found out about the lists from Modrak’s email and expressed uncertainty about his own status regarding the list. Although his job duties don’t explicitly include DEI work, he believes that the core values of DEI are integral to social work education.
The call for transparency continues, as many faculty members have reached out to university officials expressing concerns about the lists. U-M is presently under scrutiny as one of over 50 campuses being investigated for alleged racial discrimination related to its admissions policies.
As the debate around DEI at U-M unfolds, Modrak advocates for more open dialogue from university leadership. She hopes that moving forward, officials will adopt a more thoughtful approach to ensure employee protection and foster a transparent environment. In a time where many institutions are grappling with their commitments to diversity, understanding the perspectives and fears of faculty members will be crucial for the university’s future.
For more context on these issues, you can listen to the conversations taking place among educators about the importance of diversity in educational settings here.
Check out this related article: Emory University Launches Groundbreaking Study on Seat Belt Usage and Distracted Driving Trends Across Georgia
Source linkUniversity of Michigan, Donald Trump, DEI, Education, Government
