Med school dean questioned over antisemitism, DEI

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Squarre) – The interim dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine testified before Congress that the school has taken steps to address antisemitism.

Last August, the U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce detailed reports of hostile acts toward Jewish students at the school’s Chicago campus.

Dr. Enrico Benedetti outlined changes at the college since he took over as interim executive dean in January, including his own open-door policy.

“I am pleased to report that Jewish students and faculty in particular have told me as recently as last week that they feel safe and supported under my leadership,” Benedetti said.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, asked Benedetti if UICM has race-based diversity goals that it seeks to achieve through admissions.

“Our process excludes the reviewer from knowledge of the race of the applicants. Therefore, I believe that we are in compliance,” Benedetti said.

Benedetti said university officials do not consider race when choosing the best students to attend medical school.

Last June, UICM graduate and Illinois state Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, criticized the school following reports that it was promoting equitable assessments that emphasize students’ backgrounds, identities and learning processes over traditional grading metrics and clinical performance.

“It is the worst thing you can do in the ultimate merit-based profession, where people’s lives are at stake,” Hauter told The Center Square.

On Tuesday, Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller asked Benedetti if UICM complied with President Donald Trump’s executive orders to eliminate federally-funded diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

“Yes or no?” Miller asked.

“To my knowledge, we did everything we could,” Benedetti said.

Miller said the college’s “about” page suggests that DEI is still its core mission.

“It says, and I quote, ‘At the University of Illinois College of Medicine, we are committed to diversity and inclusion. We have a number of programs and initiatives in place to promote diversity and inclusion,’” Miller said.

Miller said the committee reserves the right to withhold funding from any institution in violation of federal law.

Catrina Barker contributed to this story.