UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – While federal executive orders under President Trump aim to eliminate federally funded DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, Delta College appears to be sidestepping those directives with a rebranded version: BEDI – Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
In an email to the “college community” in February, Delta President Dr. Michael Gavin reassured those receiving his letter that the college remains firmly committed to identity-based programming, despite new national guidance.
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“We will do everything possible to ensure your well-being as you serve our students,” Gavin wrote, referring to the administration’s broader support for “equitable completion” and a “culture of belonging.”
What is Delta College?
Delta College, located in mid-Michigan, northwest of Saginaw and southeast of Midland, is a community college offering more than 140 certificate and associate degree programs, according to its website. In 2024, the college enrolled 8,257 students.
Demographic data from last year shows the student body was 72.4% White, 10.3% Black or African American, 8.7% Hispanic, 4.0% multiracial, 1.0% Asian, 0.4% Native American, and 3.2% identified as Other.
Executive orders? Delta has other plans.
President Gavin criticized the Trump administration’s executive orders concerning DEI in his email as being focused on “limiting the rights, learning about, and support for students and employees traditionally marginalized because of their racial, gendered, sexed, and nationalized identity.”
Gavin declared that Delta College will not shift its values saying, “Our institution has an opposite value system when it comes to who is defined as a Delta student.” Reaffirming the college’s support for marginalized identities, he declared his intent to maintain existing programs while making sure that the college is aligned with any “actual changes in legislation.”
While acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the legal implications of the orders, Gavin noted that many of them lack specific implementation requirements and will likely face legal challenges. In the meantime, Delta College plans to continue business as usual.
An email to the students.
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Gavin sent a second email to the students of the college where he promised “Delta remains committed to supporting each and every one of you in every single aspect of your identity.” He outlines resources for students including counseling services and the Delta Safe Space – a nationally recognized program where people can actively show their support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning/ queer (LGBTQ) people.”
President responds to inquiry.
When contacted by Michigan News Source to authenticate the emails, Gavin said in an emailed statement, “Yes, this was sent to Delta College faculty and staff. This email was sent at a time when a flurry of executive actions contained language that could significantly impact Delta College students.”
He went on to say, “Delta College is a community college with a mission of being open to all who want to advance their education. Students, and our staff, were experiencing a heightened level of anxiety, in particular, over proposed changes to financial aid grants affecting their ability to pay for college. My position has always been to calm and support our students, to stay informed, to act when required and to always follow the law.”
Gavin has been very outspoken about how he feels about the president’s executive orders. He said in the Delta Collegiate in February, “Students across Delta are concerned that if there is no fight to keep these programs active, it may make discrimination seem acceptable.” He added, “We have no intention of stopping the work that we’re doing with diversity, equity and inclusion.”
His name also appeared in a letter in April in a unified statement titled A Call for Constructive Engagement, with over 650 college and university leaders, organized by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. In the letter, the leaders condemned what they described as growing government overreach and political interference in higher education.
Accusations of white nationalism.
Additionally, Gavin wrote an op-ed for the news organization Truthout at the end of March where he called what is happening “white nationalism.” In his writings, he says, “The movement assaulting higher education, what I call the new white nationalism, is well-networked and well-funded. The new white nationalism uses legal, social and cultural apparatuses to perform the same work of the traditional skin- headed or white-hooded white nationalism. It acts covertly so that what is presented to the mainstream may often seem benign when it is anything but.”
Pride Month programming presses forward.
BEDI at Delta College isn’t just a rebranded acronym, however. It has an active calendar. This month, the college is hosting a Pride Month Drag Show, organized by BEDI Coordinator Alison Ginter. The event includes performances by drag artists, an educational presentation on LGBTQ+ inclusion, and a Q&A segment exploring the role of drag in creating “brave spaces” for students.
The event is co-sponsored by community partners like PFLAG, Prism, and Great Lakes Bay Pride, and is intended to “uplift representation” on campus – clearly signaling that Delta’s leadership sees identity- based programming as not only a core value but a recruitment and retention tool.
Public college, public debate.
As a publicly funded community college, Delta’s decision to continue DEI-style programming – regardless of its updated label – raises questions about compliance and accountability. While the college frames its efforts as protecting students’ well-being and promoting inclusion, critics may argue that taxpayer- supported institutions should align with federal law.
Whether BEDI is viewed as a bold commitment to student support or a quiet rebellion against national policy depends on where you stand – but Delta College has made its position clear. For now, it’s full speed ahead.
