University of Michigan DEI Administrator Fired Over Alleged Antisemitic Comments Plans Legal Action

The University of Michigan has fired a diversity administrator after she allegedly made antisemitic comments claiming Jewish students were "wealthy and privileged" and should not benefit from diversity programmes.

The administrator, Rachel Dawson, was director of the university’s Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives. She plans to sue the school after her firing, according to the New York Times. She reportedly made the comments at a diversity conference in Philadelphia, sponsored by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. She is accused of saying Jewish students were “wealthy and privileged” and not in need of her office’s diversity services and that “Jewish people have no genetic DNA that would connect them to the land of Israel.” She also allegedly said that the university was “controlled by wealthy Jews.” Dawson’s lawyer, Amanda Ghannam, denied that she said anything antisemitic. Ghannam said Dawson was told by the university that she would have to undergo training. Then, she was fired.

Rachel Dawson served as director of the university’s Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives. She was accused of saying “the university is controlled by wealthy Jews” during a conversation with two professors. Her lawyer denies that she made those statements or any antisemitic comments.