by Katie Heid
A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) officer is without a job after the University of Michigan fired her for antisemitic remarks and “extremely poor” judgement stemming from an incident nine months ago.
The New York Times reports that Rachel Dawson, the former director of the university’s Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, reportedly made antisemitic comments in a conversation at a conference in March. Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request show Dawson allegedly said U of M was “controlled by wealthy Jews.”
In addition, Dawson (pictured above) is alleged to have called Jewish students “wealthy and privileged” and not in need of her office’s diversity services. Reportedly, Dawson added “Jewish people have no genetic DNA that would connect them to the land of Israel.”
The U of M’s public affairs office wrote that Dawson’s firing resulted from “her behavior as a university representative at a conference and during an on-campus protest” that showed a disconnect with her job responsibilities and ” represented extremely poor judgment.”
Dawson’s lawyer claims she did not make antisemitic comments and plans to sue U of M.
This incident is the latest in a string of diversity tensions facing the university. Dawson’s firing comes as U of M announced it is backtracking its DEI policies. It will no longer use diversity statements in faculty hiring, promotion, or tenure. Also, there are ongoing tensions between U of M and pro-Palestinian groups who demand divestment from Israel. Vandals targeted the Jewish member of the Board of Regents’ home.
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Katie Heid anchors weekday newscasts for Michigan News Source from noon until 7 p.m.
Photo “Rachel Dawson” by University of Michigan.
