FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2025
Contact: University Staff United Executive Board, executiveboard@universitystaffunited.org
University Staff United, UM Staff Union, Releases Statement on DEI Cuts at University of Michigan
ANN ARBOR – The Executive Board of University Staff United, AFT Michigan Local 284, AFL-CIO has released a statement in response to the DEI cuts at the University of Michigan:
We are appalled at the decision by Santa J. Ono, Laurie K. McCauley, Marschall S. Runge, and Geoffrey S. Chatas at the behest of the Board of Regents to close the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) and the Office of Health Equity and Inclusion (OHEI), as well as discontinuing DEI 2.0 strategic plans. This is not reflective of the Michigan community, or our inseparable interests in giving every person that comes to our institution an outstanding education and robust and compassionate healthcare. There is no outstanding education that ignores the structural rot of colonialism, eugenics, and white supremacy. We cannot give robust and compassionate healthcare if we throw out the contributions of the most marginalized peoples.
Our dignity and interests are being harmed by the likes of Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Our bosses at U-M refuse to take a clear ethical stance and instead are choosing to pre-emptively concede and hide, comfortable in their wealth and power. This decision was not made with staff and students aware or consulted. We’d been hearing musings from Regents like Sarah Hubbard to cut ODEI and OHEI since December. When we raised our objections, they lied to us and said DEI is here to stay. They expanded the Go Blue Guarantee while gaslighting the U-M students, lecturers, and staff picketing outside their meeting building that they walled off with metal police barriers and armed cops from the community their decisions are destroying. What makes the Michigan Difference has been and continues to be the workers. We look forward to bargaining our first contract and organizing the rest of our coworkers who are excellent at our work and truly are the best parts of U-M.
Executive Board of University Staff United
President Rita Kwan-Hang Lee
Vice President Anne Elias
Secretary Kiera Saltz
Treasurer Nathan Sadowsky
Unit Chair for Non-Bargained-For Members Andy Brosius