Commentary

Despite Federal Civil Rights Investigations, the University of Minnesota Department of Medicine Seeks Faculty Dedicated to DEI

  • By Do No Harm Staff
  • October 28, 2023
  • University of Minnesota Medical School

The University of Minnesota (UMN) is at it again with yet another federal civil rights investigation for sex-based discrimination. But even with all the attention on the school’s civil rights violations, it is still striving to recruit faculty members who are willing to prove their woke bona fides.

In April 2023, the UMN Department of Medicine was investigated by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for a research award that discriminated on the basis of sex. Shortly after UMN removed this award from its website in September, the OCR opened an additional investigation against UMN for its participation in another program that also violates Title IX.

Considering UMN’s history of sponsoring and promoting discriminatory programs and awards, it’s not surprising that the Department of Medicine would seek faculty members who are likely do go along with the DEI narrative. Look no further than its job posting for an Associate Director for Research and Scholarship in the Division of Hospital Medicine. In addition to the academic qualifications listed, the ideal candidate will “forward efforts regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in research and scholarship.” Although the position requires a medical license, mentoring skills, and a “track record of successful funding for research,” UMN places the credential of “demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion” on the list ahead of these requirements.

Just so there’s no question about where the school’s priorities lie, the job posting displays the UMN diversity statements and a link to its robust Office for Equity and Diversity website.

Figure 1. From the “Associate Director for Research and Scholarship & Assistant Professor: Division of Hospital Medicine” job posting at the University of Minnesota.

Equity and diversity is fundamental to everything we do at the University of Minnesota. That’s the message from the UMN Office for Equity and Diversity. What about quality education and sound research based on science instead of ideology? Perhaps offering scholarships with eligibility criteria that don’t discriminate in violation of federal law? With this legacy, the Department of Medicine at UMN has a lot of explaining to do to Minnesota taxpayers and policymakers.

Have you seen job postings at your institution that include requirements of “diversity statements” or other politicized requirements? Do No Harm wants to hear from you.