April 4th, 12-1pm
Dear Colleagues: Diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives are legally defensible and here is how higher education should respond.
Recent Executive Orders and the Department of Education’s “Dear Colleague” letter have introduced new legal considerations for higher education institutions committed to fostering diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environments. What are the actual legal obligations stemming from these federal actions — and how should institutions interpret and respond to them?
Join our discussion with legal and policy experts to unpack the legal context of these directives. This session will provide guidance for the higher education community on how to understand the legal scope and limits of federal directives, navigate potential risks, and uphold academic freedom and institutional autonomy with evolving legal parameters.
Speakers: Matthew Countryman, Liliana Garces, and Samuel Bagenstos
Zoom registration: https://umich.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a296733b1b57e668ff6b9f6a2&id=9dec13684b&e=0ed728bd95
April 25th, 3-4pm
Dear Colleagues: How should we be leading higher education today? With boldness, wisdom, and courage.
Despite years of compelling evidence demonstrating the transformative educational benefits of supporting diverse and inclusive communities, higher education is under attack. This moment requires bold and strategic leadership across all levels of the university to remain steadfast in our commitment to inclusive excellence.
In this session, a distinguished panel of higher education leaders will share critical lessons learned during their careers, offering wisdom to lead with courage and the conviction necessary to confront and challenge the threats to societal progress we’ve worked for. Together, they will discuss the importance of leadership in continuing the fight to dismantle the long-standing systemic and structural inequities that shaped the U.S. higher education history.
Speakers: Mary Sue Coleman, Nancy Cantor, Robert Sellers, and Deborah Loewenberg Ball
Zoom registration: https://umich.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a296733b1b57e668ff6b9f6a2&id=5409a677de&e=0ed728bd95