July 25, 2025
The Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina System has mandated that each of its 17 campuses establish a subcommittee dedicated to assessing compliance with the newly implemented anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy. This directive aims to ensure that all campuses adhere to the guidelines set forth in a recent memorandum.
Campuses are required to submit their compliance reports by September 1, detailing their adherence to the policy, which has replaced previous DEI guidelines and requires administrators to maintain neutrality regarding political and social matters. As a direct consequence of this policy shift, numerous campuses have reported significant staff changes, including layoffs of dozens of employees, reassignment of 131 individuals to different roles, and a reallocation of $16 million previously designated for DEI initiatives towards programs focused on student success and wellbeing.
The memorandum outlines that the compliance reviews must include discussions with chancellors regarding any personnel whose roles have been altered due to the DEI policy changes. This process is intended to ensure transparency and accountability within the system.
“These confidential evaluations should assess the differences between an employee’s former position and their current responsibilities, including any changes in performance and the measures in place to prevent the continuation of previous duties in their new roles,” the memorandum specifies. “Additionally, chancellors should provide confidential briefings on any disciplinary actions taken against staff during this review.”
This memorandum follows an incident where four employees from the University of North Carolina were covertly recorded by a conservative organization discussing ways to bypass DEI restrictions. As a result, three of these individuals are no longer employed at their respective institutions.
In light of these developments, the implications for women’s colleges are also under scrutiny, particularly following a complaint filed with the Office for Civil Rights against Smith College, which raises concerns about how these institutions will navigate the evolving landscape of DEI policies.
As universities adapt to these changes, it is crucial for them to find effective strategies to balance compliance with the need for diversity and inclusion within their communities.