Board of Governors for UNC system to vote on a proposal to repeal DEI policy

If approved, the proposal would reverse a policy adopted in 2019 that seeks to “foster an inclusive environment” and requires each school to submit diversity and inclusion reports to the board of trustees every year.

The Board of Governors for the University of North Carolina System is expected to vote Thursday on a proposal to repeal and replace its existing diversity and inclusion policy that applies to the 17 schools the board oversees. If approved, the proposal would reverse a policy adopted in 2019 that seeks to “foster an inclusive environment” and requires each school to submit diversity and inclusion reports to the board of trustees every year. The new policy would require UNC schools to “ensure equality of all persons & viewpoints,” and promote “nondiscrimination in employment practices.” It would also mandate that all UNC schools comply with a series of amendments passed by the North Carolina General Assembly in the past year that limit what can be discussed or taught about race, racism and sex in government institutions. The full board vote Thursday comes as diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public universities and corporations across the country are facing a string of attacks from critics and conservative lawmakers. If it passes, the new policy would follow similar moves by state governments in Florida and Texas to ban DEI efforts from public colleges and universities. Schools in the UNC System would be required to comply with the new policy by September 1. The proposal does not indicate how many DEI jobs might be impacted.