UNC Charlotte announces closure of three DEI offices, reassigns 11 employees
UNC Charlotte has announced sweeping changes to its diversity, equity and inclusion programming, including eliminating three offices.
The school’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Office of Identity, Equity and Engagement and the Office of Academic Diversity and Inclusion all closed as part of the move— though university officials say no one was laid off as a result. Instead, 11 employees were reassigned to new positions, the school announced last week.
The shift comes after the University of North Carolina System in May repealed its diversity, equity and inclusion policy, when all but two members of the UNC system board of governors voted to roll back the policy originally adopted in 2019.
What is DEI?
Attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, often referred to simply as “DEI,” began gaining traction in early 2023. Conservative politicians targeted policies intended to attract and retain candidates of color at universities, corporations and government agencies. Since then, 85 anti-DEI bills geared toward programs at colleges have been introduced in 28 states, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.
While proponents of DEI programs say they’re a strategy to correct injustices from decades of exclusionary practices, opponents say they’re discriminatory toward white Americans and violate the First Amendment.
UNC System President Peter Hans said the change was motivated by the university’s duty to remain neutral on political matters.
“We have well-established laws and policies that prohibit discrimination, protect equal opportunity, and require a safe and supportive learning environment for all students,” Hans said in a written statement this May. “We will continue to uphold those responsibilities.”
What will changes look like at UNC Charlotte?
The UNC system’s previous policy required the employment of a diversity and inclusion officer at each of the system’s 17 schools and the creation of a UNC system diversity and inclusion council. It’s been replaced with a new one titled “Equality Within the University of North Carolina.”
The new policy “requires offices and positions at all System institutions to comply with institutional neutrality, refrain from compelling others’ speech and refrain from promoting political or social concepts through training or required beliefs,” UNC Charlotte Provost Jennifer Troyer and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Kevin Bailey wrote in a letter to students and faculty Thursday. “Specifically, it does not allow any institution in the System to have offices that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.”
According to the new policy, the university may not promote a particular set of concepts related to race and sex nor include them in any types of training for employees.
The new policy still allows faculty full discretion in decisions around research design and course material.
Students and student organizations still are allowed to engage in political and social advocacy as long as they do not speak on behalf of the university.
“UNC Charlotte is committed to creating a culture of belonging for everyone, from every background and identity,” a university spokesperson wrote in a statement to The Observer. “The university’s care and concern for its students is unchanged, as are student organizations, which help students build community and identity with others.”
Money previously allocated to diversity, equity and inclusion will now be diverted to “student success,” which includes improving graduation rates, degree efficiency and student mental health and well-being. The university will continue to permit identity-based mentoring, programming and support as long as they align with student success initiatives.
