MSU officials scrambling as Trump moves to limit DEI on college campuses
EAST LANSING — Officials at Michigan State University are scrambling to determine what impact its extensive diversity, equity and inclusion policies and programs could have on the hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding that flow into the university.
President Donald Trump last week issued an executive order terminating 'diversity, equity, and inclusion," for organizations that receive federal funding, and added that universities with endowments larger than $1 billion - in Michigan that's MSU and the University of Michigan - could be investigated for their DEI programs and policies.
Noncompliance with the executive order could mean MSU loses hundreds of millions of dollars from federal grants and contracts. In 2024, the university received $528 million from the federal government, a significant amount supporting research at the institution, the 2024 Annual Financial Report shows. MSU's endowment is $4.4 billion, according to an October 2024 release from the university.
MSU had made a major commitment to DEI. Its 2030 Strategic Plan states the university is striving to be "a national leader in increasing diversity, promoting inclusion, ensuring equity and eliminating disparities on our campus and beyond."
It's not clear what is next for staff and faculty in DEI roles for MSU, nor the school's office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion. Next month, MSU is set to officially open its long-awaited $38 million multicultural center.
MSU Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar Bennett declined an interview Tuesday, university spokesperson Amber McCann said. She added he would be available in the future "once the university has had time to thoroughly review changes coming as part of the new administration."
MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz, in a statement to the campus community Friday, reiterated the university's commitment to DEI, writing that those in higher education have learned the "full participation of all lived experiences and perspectives is essential in being able to deliver on our core missions."
He also acknowledged university leadership is working to determine exactly what the impact of the executive orders will be.
But if MSU is looking for guidance, it might not find any anytime soon.
Dan Hurley, the chief executive officer of the Michigan Association for State Universities, said he was "surprised" by the "intensity" of the executive orders and was still determining what they meant for the Michigan institutions his organization serves.
"The speed, focus and magnitude were of a higher level than I anticipated," he said of Trump's orders.
"A lot of entities - universities and statewide entities that serve higher ed - are looking for answers," he said. "I imagine national higher ed agencies are asking these same questions of the federal government, of how to remain in compliance."
Changes have already occured at other universities. In early December, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor announced it has ceased asking for diversity statements as part of the process for hiring, promoting or granting tenure to faculty. The university still employs a vice provost for equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, Tabbye Chavous.
Students are concerned, too. Missy Chola, political affairs director for MSU's Black Students' Alliance, said several students of color have told her they're worried about their futures on campus and don't feel reassured by Guskiewicz's email.
"We're scared," she said. " ... We don't know if our university will care about us."
What is the scope of DEI at MSU?
MSU's 2030 Strategic Plan includes five objectives the university would accomplish. Those objectives aim to recruit a more diverse group of students; increase the number of MSU faculty who make significant contributions to advancing social justice and ethics; recruit and retain staff from diverse backgrounds; provide a world-class academic environment that integrates DEI; and increase proactive engagement with historically underrepresented and underserved communities.
Additionally, the university employs 35-50 employees involved with DEI in some capacity, and 18 of those work in the Institutional Diversity and Inclusion office, Vice President of Communications Emily Guerrant told the State Journal.
"Would also point out that these employees support veterans programs, people with disabilities, students who are parents or first generation," Guerrant said.
All staff who have a role relating to DEI are still employed, McCann said.
Guerrant said she did not know how much the university spent on DEI programming yearly.
MSU also has a university-wide mandated online introductory education program about diversity, equity and inclusion, called "DEI Foundations." All Spartans, including students, staff and faculty, are required to take the course during their time at MSU.
The Multicultural Center - which is scheduled to officially open Feb. 7 - was created to amplify diverse voices and provide cultural opportunities for students, according to the university.
'Fast-paced, but thoughtful, analysis'
It's not uncommon for policies pertaining to higher education to change between presidential administrations, Hurley said, but the speed, severity and potential magnitude of this executive order wasn't typical.
"It is what it is," he said. "Right now, MASU is in a fast-paced, but thoughtful, analysis mode."
In his letter to campus, Guskiewicz mentioned "Rapid Response Teams," comprised of university leaders and stakeholders, that will focus on impacts to campus life, international students and scholars, research, teaching, and financial and tax policy.
Additionally, he said MSU's Government Relations office is monitoring developments at the federal level and working closely with university leadership and the "Rapid Response Teams." Guskiewicz said MSU will collaborate with its higher education partners, peer institutions and professional associations to "thoughtfully engage" with federal policymakers in the coming weeks and months.
Additionally, numerous lawsuits are expected to try to blunt the impact of any executive orders, with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel saying Tuesday she would sue to halt a federal funding pause ordered by Trump Monday.
'We're scared'
Chola said students like her don't feel like they have time to "wait and see."
Chola said she was frustrated by Guskiewicz's email, and felt it didn't go far enough to let students know they were supported and protected by the university.
And although the university's DEI goals weren't as specific as she and other students would have liked, Chola said the policies allowed students to feel secure in having opportunities there. She's unsure of how the trustees and the administration will make the students of color a priority.
A DEI Report from the university for the 2023-24 school year shows the university has more than 12,700 students of color, making up 27.2% of the total enrollment.
"We improved the graduation rate for Black students," she said, referencing part of one of the DEI objectives in the strategic plan. "I don't want the university to feel like they don't need to do this work."
Chola added that DEI policies and programming, and the student groups it supports, aren't "anti-white," but instead are a way to address centuries of racism and discrimination.
What's next?
Hurley said he, along with other university advocacy groups, are going to be watching for any further guidance from the federal government. He's also keeping an eye on action from Congress regarding the implementation of other policies and any nationwide legal action pausing Trump's executive orders from taking effect.
In his statement, Guskiewicz said the university would face whatever happened as "one team."
"Please know that no matter what happens, we all belong here," he wrote. "The university remains committed to research and educational excellence, inclusivity and dialogue, and we will continue as one team to navigate any changes and challenges that come our way."
Contact Sarah Atwood at satwood@lsj.com. Follow her on X @sarahmatwood.
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