Strategic Response Team

Since February, Oakland University’s Strategic Response Team (SRT) has monitored and responded to directives from the President of the United States, the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR), and other federal authorities related to federal directives and executive branch policy changes pertaining to higher education.
Federal courts have upheld the principle of academic freedom and the First Amendment while admonishing the federal government for its attempts to overreach its lawful authority. Nonetheless, the pressure to conform or face the consequences of losing funding and being subjected to an OCR probe have required a strategic response based on Oakland’s best interests. In that regard, the following are some of the actions that the SRT has taken through December 2025:

An ongoing review of policies, programs and practices to ensure that Oakland remains inclusive and non-exclusionary while complying with applicable law.
Ensuring there are no restrictions on the principles of academic freedom in the classroom.
A comprehensive evaluation of Oakland’s scholarship, endowment and grant awards in light of the applicable legal requirements.
Elimination of the requirement of Diversity Statements in faculty searches.
Following the death of our esteemed colleague Glenn McIntosh, the position of Chief Diversity Officer has not been replaced, but the mission of fostering a welcoming campus has continued under the efforts co-chaired by Omar Brown-El and Tomoko Wakabayashi.
Ongoing monitoring of the federal budget and reforms to the Department of Education that impact Oakland’s operations, including student financial aid loan servicing.
Reviews of requirements from the National Institute of Health, e.g. the capping of indirect costs recovery.
Support for President Pescovitz’s endorsement (in April) of the American Association of Colleges & Universities’ statement that cited ““unprecedented government overreach and political interference (now) endangering American higher education.” (In April, the list included 150 schools. To-date, more than 500 university presidents have signed the appeal.)

PRINCIPLED APPROACH

While DEI has become politically polarizing, Oakland does not make decisions based on political expediency or partisan pressure. In accordance with Proposition 2 (approved by Michigan voters in 2006), Oakland does not discriminate against or grant preferential treatment to any individual or group based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting.

The SRT’s work is anchored in a clear set of shared principles that shape decision making and campus guidance:

Compliance with the law.
Commitment to fairness and openness in promoting a non-discriminating campus where there is an appreciation for a range of ideas, people, cultures and lifestyles.
Unequivocal support for academic freedom, free speech, unimpeded scientific research, and open discussion.
No tolerance policy for discrimination or illegal harassment.
Allegiance with universities across the country to maintain administrative and operational autonomy.

SRT MEETINGS

The full SRT meets monthly to review developments, emerging issues and institutional impacts.
Subcommittees meet as needed based on specialized expertise of timely matters requiring attention.
We are committed to remaining vigilant and responsive to current challenges and prepared for the uncertainties ahead.

SRT MEMBERS

Daniel Aloi, Professor, Electrical/Computer Engineering, SECS
Greg Bartley, Asst. Professor, SEHS
Rochelle Black, VP, Government & Community Relations
Nicole Boelk, Director, Financial Aid & Scholarships
Mark Burnham, President, The Burnham Group
Chris Pilsner, Chief Marketing Officer
Joi Cunningham, VP, Human Resources
Dawn Aubry, VP, Enrollment Management
David Stone, VP, Research
Boyd Farnam, VP, Legal Affairs/General Counsel
Steve Mackey, VP, Finance & Administration
Gerard Madlambayan, Professor, Biological Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences
Maureen Watson-Bolger, Consultant, McAlvey Merchant Associates
John Young, VP, Communications
Co-chairs are Amy Thompson, Provost/Executive VP, Academic Affairs; and Frank Provenzano, Office of the President.

NOTE: The team was led by Glenn McIntosh until mid-September.