Large state universities, including the University of Michigan, are facing scrutiny over the size and cost of their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) divisions. At Michigan, the DEI payroll is so substantial that converting it into a scholarship fund for in-state students could potentially allow nearly 900 individuals to attend the university tuition-free. This revelation raises questions about the impact of DEI divisions on the affordability of higher education.
Michigan’s DEI workforce, dedicated to addressing issues related to racism and sexism, consists of trained professionals. However, the sheer scale and cost of these divisions prompt concerns about their financial implications for students. With the university’s annual cost of attendance standing at $32,000, a hypothetical 90% reduction in DEI positions could lead to a significant $5,000 per student cost reduction.
As the debate on the role and size of DEI divisions in universities intensifies, the financial burden on students and the potential for cost-cutting measures come into sharper focus.
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DEI divisions at large state universities are often huge. At Michigan, for example, DEI is so big that if its payroll were converted to a scholarship fund for in-state students, nearly 900 people could attend Michigan tuition-free. pic.twitter.com/NIENQFuDn2
— i/o (@eyeslasho) January 4, 2024
Their work tasks consist mostly of performing antiracisms and antisexisms. Because they are trained professionals, they are capable of doing this very antiracistly and antisexistly.
— i/o (@eyeslasho) January 4, 2024