The University of North Carolina System, which governs 17 schools, voted this week to eliminate its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policy.
The UNC Board of Trustees voted to repeal a policy adopted in 2019 aimed at “fostering an inclusive environment” and required “each school to submit an annual diversity and inclusion report to the Board of Trustees.” CNNThe newly adopted policy requires UNC schools to “ensure equality for all people and all viewpoints” while promoting “non-discrimination in employment practices.” The policy also requires all UNC schools to comply with recent amendments from the North Carolina General Assembly that limit what can be discussed about issues of race relations.
Prior to the vote, board Executive Director Pearl Burris Floyd voiced support for the new changes, saying DEI has many flaws and is “impairing our organization and our ability to get things done.” Board member Jean Davis said that while DEI helps some marginalized groups, it also makes the school system less welcoming.
Students work on assignments and listen to organizers as they sit in a protest encampment at Polk Place at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Makiya Seminera, File)
“The actions taken in the name of DEI make me uncomfortable and, in fact, I believe result in our university community being less welcoming to all,” Davis said.
Students gathered outside polling stations to protest the decision, and at least two people were arrested.
“Really, this administration has let us down and will continue to let down generations of students who saw opportunity in diversity, equity and inclusion,” student Pragya Upreti said.
Chantal Stevens, executive director of the ACLU of North Carolina, called the vote “deeply disturbing.”
“Our college campuses must be environments where students feel accepted and can fully participate in their academic lives, and DEI programs play a critical role in making this happen,” Stevens said in a statement.
“Defunding these programs would undermine these efforts and send a disturbing message about how seriously the University is committed to protecting students’ rights free from discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, disability or other protected class,” Stevens added.
As reported by Breitbart News, the vote came after the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Board of Trustees voted to end its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) program following large anti-Israel protests on campus.
Pro-Palestinian protesters swapped American flags for Palestinian flags at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on April 30, 2024. (Travis Long/News & Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“The Board of Trustees’ unanimous decision means that the $2.3 million the University spends on DEI programs will be reallocated to police and public safety efforts as part of the annual budget approval process.” I got it. Fox News added:
The proposed policy changes impact diversity, equity and inclusion regulations adopted in 2019. The policy defines the roles of various DEI positions, such as a diversity and inclusion liaison for the system office and a university system-wide diversity officer, as well as the establishment of a diversity and inclusion council made up of members representing each university.
UNC Board of Trustees Chairman David Boreek later said: News & Observer He said the university is plagued by “administrative bloat” and believes eliminating DEI programs would result in job cuts, but clarified that the university had been considering changing its policy even before last month’s anti-Israel protests on campus and many other places.
“My personal opinion is that universities have administrative bloat,” Boliek said. “It’s important to cut back on that and redirect the money to more practical initiatives like public safety and education.”
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