Central Michigan University (CMU) has quietly eliminated a controversial requirement forcing prospective counseling students to read and discuss an article on “white privilege” as part of the admissions process. The decision came after internal documents revealed the practice, prompting public backlash and questions about ideological indoctrination in higher education.
Applicants to CMU’s counseling program were previously required to read Peggy McIntosh’s “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” before interviews. The document, widely criticized for promoting critical race theory, accuses white individuals of enjoying “unearned advantages” in society. This requirement became public after whistleblower materials were shared by education policy expert Corey DeAngelis.
In a leaked email, CMU professor Sheri Pickover notified applicants of the change, stating, “You are no longer required to read this article,” and confirming that it would no longer be discussed in interviews. She cited updated guidance from the program’s accreditor, though no specific accrediting body was named.
The policy had remained in place for an undisclosed period, with no public documentation of its implementation. Critics argue the reading requirement served as a political litmus test for admission, raising concerns about viewpoint discrimination and the misuse of academic authority to promote left-wing ideology.
CMU has not issued a public statement addressing the controversy. The change follows a growing national movement challenging race-based and politically charged mandates in education. Lawmakers and advocacy groups have increasingly scrutinized university policies that compel students to accept progressive narratives on race, gender, and privilege as a condition for entry or advancement.
The removal of the white privilege article from CMU’s admissions process represents a notable victory for those opposing the institutionalization of divisive racial theories in public education. It also serves as a warning to other universities enforcing similar ideological requirements under the guise of academic preparation.
