The UNC System Board of Governors – the group that oversees five HBCUs – has officially struck down its DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) policy.
The UNC System Board of Governors has eliminated its policy requiring diversity, equity and inclusion offices at all public universities in the state. The vote passed with several other policies on the board’s consent agenda.
“Our public universities must take a stance of principled neutrality on matters of political controversy,” Hans said. “Faculty and students are free to weigh in on all manner of current events and high-profile issues, while university staff must exercise restraint.”
Anti-DEI bills in Florida led to five jobs being lost at the University of Florida, including the chief diversity officer position. The BOG said in a statement that the DEI policy removal does not require the elimination of identity-based centers.
“Campuses will continue to implement programming and services to assist students of different backgrounds to improve academic performance,” the UNC System said in a statement. “As long as programs comply with legal requirements for institutional neutrality and nondiscrimination.”
Only two members of the board voted against the anti-DEI measure – both of them HBCU graduates. They were North Carolina A&T graduate Joel Ford and Florida A&M alumna Sonja P. Nichols.
The UNC System includes five HBCUs: Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University and Winston-Salem State University.
The latter three of those institutions – NC A&T, NCCU and WSSU – are all looking for new chancellors.
North Carolina Central released a statement on Thursday.
“We are dedicated to providing our students with training and programs that help them thrive. This dedication is the cornerstone of ‘The Eagle Promise,’ a pledge we make to our scholars, promising they’ll be ready to pursue and succeed in their future endeavors with our supportive environment.”