Presented By: Michigan Program for Advancing Cultural Transformation (M-PACT)
Dear Colleagues: Diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives are legally defensible and here is how higher education should respond.
Moderator: Matthew Countryman; Panelists: Liliana Garces, Samuel Bagenstos

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.
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.