UNC System shares guidance regarding DEI
UNC-Chapel Hill, along with other system campuses, must submit reports for complying with the policy by Sept. 1.
On May 23, the Board of Governors repealed and replaced Section 300.8.5 of the UNC Policy Manual to reaffirm the University’s commitment to nondiscrimination, equality of opportunity, institutional neutrality, academic freedom and student success.
UNC-Chapel Hill and all other UNC System campuses must submit reports for complying with the policy by Sept. 1.
Provost Chris Clemens has appointed Vice Provost Leah Cox to oversee efforts to develop recommendations for the plan as well as longer-term efforts focused on student success. Cox is fulfilling the duties of Executive Vice Provost Amy Locklear Hertel on an interim basis. Hertel will spend the next year serving on the UNC Pembroke leadership team.
The University’s efforts will be aligned with recent guidance provided by the UNC System. The University released the following statement after the guidance was received earlier this month.
“We have received the UNC System’s guidance on implementing our equality policy. In a diverse and rapidly growing state, we have an obligation as a public university to ensure that our students are successful. We are focused on building a welcoming environment that maintains our commitment to institutional neutrality and the equality of opportunity for every member of our community. In keeping with the UNC System’s direction, we will carefully determine our next steps to adhere to this policy and meet the Sept. 1 deadline.”
Below are some FAQs answered with information provided in the system guidance.
What does the policy do overall?
The revised Board of Governors’ policy calls for a detailed look at the diversity and inclusion initiatives on UNC System campuses, ensuring that University efforts do not infringe on academic freedom, equal opportunity or institutional neutrality.
Central DEI offices were eliminated by the new policy. What happens to those positions?
Positions and responsibilities will have to be assessed. The work of the University will focus on advancing the academic success of students with different backgrounds.
Who is subject to neutrality expectations?
The goal of principled neutrality is to prevent administrative staff and University leaders from establishing official stances on political and social issues. Research initiatives, faculty teaching and student-led organizations are all explicitly outside of the scope of the revised policy.
How does this stance on neutrality affect faculty?
The policy’s reaffirmation of academic freedom delineates between the administrative and academic functions of the University. The former adheres to content neutrality and in doing so leaves broader space for the academy to teach, research and serve free from the weight of administrative orthodoxy. System policy also notes that faculty members, while free to speak, must make it clear their views are not the position of the institution.
What about programs that encourage underserved groups?
The policy does not call for wholesale elimination of programs or personnel devoted to supporting students of different backgrounds. Targeted initiatives that welcome and support underserved students are well within the scope of the University’s mission, provided they abide by nondiscrimination statutes and do not require students, staff or faculty to adopt a political viewpoint as a condition of participation.
One key to student success is connection with students as individuals. Fostering communities that each student may choose to join makes an unfamiliar — and perhaps intimidating — environment more conducive to success. University-fostered groups — even those associated with immutable characteristics — are not prohibited generally by the policy so long as the programs are non-discriminatory and do not stray into political or social advocacy.
What about activities that are required to ensure with compliance with federal law or in applications for grants?
The policy does not include positions that ensure compliance with federal laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace and educational opportunities. The policy also does not prevent a grant applicant from personally affirming his or her own beliefs in support of an application.
What about centers that serve certain groups?
The policy does not prohibit centers. Some centers run by divisions of the University may need to adjust content to comply with institutional neutrality expectations. Academic freedom applies to centers in which faculty members conduct, publish and disseminate their academic work.
