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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan

The University of Michigan Student Life is committed to student learning and the development of the whole student in a diverse and multicultural campus community. Student Life seeks to engender a diverse community that is accessible, safe and inclusive. We value a community that appreciates and learns from our similarities and differences. We pledge our commitment to support the success of all community members.

Access, Transparency & Trust

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Here's the Plan

Read Student Life's strategic plan to facilitate broad and diverse student engagement.

Read the plan Year One Progress Year Two Progress
Year Three Progress Year Four Progress
Year Five Progress Evaluation Summary

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Student Life houses nationally recognized exemplary programs in social justice education and diversity, equity and inclusion student advocacy and support initiatives.

A Message from the Vice President

Strengthen, Innovate, Assess, Enhance & Engage

Inspired by ongoing student and staff insights, Student Life’s strategic and iterative priorities to improve diversity, equity and inclusion at Michigan are summarized in the framework of Strengthen, Innovate, Assess, Enhance and Engage. Our five-year plan focuses on robust and strategic investment in:

Strengthening existing advocacy, support and education and the first-year experience for students and improving DEI partnerships with schools/colleges
Building Trotter as a Center for broad and diverse student engagement and innovation to develop more global and inclusive student leaders with “growth mindsets”
Enhancing current staff DEI skills and awareness, while developing inclusive hiring practices and building equitable onboarding and development experiences for all new team members
Improving assessment capacity to ensure our DEI work is more data-informed

“The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (the University) is dedicated to supporting and maintaining a scholarly community. As its central purpose, this community promotes intellectual inquiry through vigorous discourse. Values which undergird this purpose include civility, dignity, diversity, education, equality, freedom, honesty, and safety.”

– The University of Michigan Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities

Evaluation Summary

Beginning in 2015, Student Life engaged a broad cross-section of students, staff, and research to ensure a grounded and informed plan to be implemented over the next five years, and this robust engagement allowed for a clear set of divisional DEI 1.0 objectives.

View Student Life's Evaluation Summary.

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Vice President’s Message: Reflecting on our Five-Year Strategic Plan and Focusing on the Finish Line Ahead

September 30, 2022

Dear Michigan Community,

Student Life has achieved significant progress in DEI 1.0 to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion at Michigan. Beginning in 2015, Student Life engaged a broad cross-section of students and staff to augment our research efforts and ensure a grounded and informed plan to be implemented over the next five years. Connections were made early in the planning process, including town halls and individual and group sessions with students, student leaders, student organizations, student employees, and our staff.

With this strong foundation of stakeholder involvement as our starting point, our plan continues to be inspired by ongoing student and staff insights and has shaped our strategic and iterative priorities. Assessment of our DEI 1.0 progress can be seen in more detail in Student Life’s DEI 1.0 Evaluation Summary. Some highlights of our progress in the first five years include...(Click to read more.)

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Find out more about the University's commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion at:

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Website