The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees has voted to dismantle its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
The decision reallocates millions in funding from these initiatives to enhance public safety and campus police following recent protests. The change was detailed in a report by The News & Observer.
Unanimous Decision by Trustees
The board’s decision was unanimous, involving the transfer of $2.3 million previously allocated to DEI programs toward police and public safety measures.
This action was part of the university’s annual budget approval process, emphasizing a significant redirection of resources.
Concerns Over Administrative Spending
David Boliek, the Board Chair, expressed his views on administrative expenditures, saying, “My personal opinion is that there’s administrative bloat in the university.”
He indicated that the funding shift would help reduce this bloat by focusing resources more directly on essential services like public safety.
Response to Campus Demonstrations
Following demonstrations at UNC Chapel Hill, which resulted in several arrests, Trustee Marty Kotis highlighted the need for increased law enforcement funding.
He said, “It’s important to consider the needs of all 30,000 students, not just 100 or so that may want to disrupt the university’s operations.”
Broader Implications Across UNC System
The board’s actions at Chapel Hill precede a critical vote by the UNC Board of Governors.
This vote could restrict DEI programs across all 17 public universities in North Carolina, suggesting a system-wide policy shift might be underway.
Potential Policy Reversal
Last month, the board’s Committee on University Governance voted to reverse and replace a DEI policy adopted in 2019.
The full board of 24 members must approve this repeal for it to take effect, pointing to a significant policy change across the university system.
Echoing National Movements
This trend is not isolated to North Carolina.
The University of Florida, for instance, announced last month that it was eliminating its DEI office and reallocating those funds to faculty recruitment.
The Current DEI Policy
The DEI policy in question outlines specific roles for DEI positions and the creation of a diversity and inclusion council comprising members from each university.
These roles and structures are at risk if the policy is repealed, as part of the ongoing policy evaluations.
Legal and Institutional Reaffirmation
Andrew Tripp, senior vice president for the UNC System Office’s legal affairs team, explained the change to The Associated Press.
He said that the policy change would reaffirm “the university’s commitment to non-discrimination and institutional neutrality.”
Continued Inclusion Efforts
Despite potential cutbacks, the proposed policy indicates that the university will continue inclusion efforts, such as tracking diversity metrics and reporting to university boards.
These efforts are intended to maintain some level of commitment to diversity and inclusion.
UNC Chapel Hill’s Preparations
UNC Chapel Hill’s spokesperson, Kevin Best, stated in an email to the AP last month that the university would review the policy changes and collaborate with the university system to implement them.
He emphasized that ensuring equality of opportunity remains a core value of UNC Chapel Hill.
Implications for the University Community
As these changes unfold, the impact on students and staff at UNC Chapel Hill and potentially across the state could be profound.
The reallocation of funds and the potential restructuring of DEI initiatives are likely to influence the university’s operational and educational environment.
