In a swift decision, the Committee on University Governance within the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors voted to reverse a policy aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) on university campuses. The committee, which oversees 17 schools within the UNC System, took less than four minutes to vote against the policy that had been in place since 2019.

The repealed policy defined the roles of various DEI positions and established a diversity and inclusion council representing each university within the system. It also outlined the appointment of DEI officers and liaisons at UNC. However, with the committee's vote, these positions could potentially be eliminated, leaving the future of DEI efforts at UNC uncertain.

The full board, comprising 24 members, will now take up the vote next month. If approved, the repeal would take effect immediately, affecting the university system's ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The decision has not been without controversy. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper expressed his disappointment, stating that attacking diversity at public universities undermines the students' welfare and jeopardizes the state's ability to attract top talent in the scientific and academic fields.

This move by the UNC Board of Governors aligns with a trend seen in other universities nationwide. The University of Florida recently announced a similar decision to dismantle its diversity office, redirecting funding towards faculty recruitment. Moreover, Texas universities have faced cuts to their diversity and inclusion staff due to a state ban enacted last year.

Conservatives who argue that DEI programs are discriminatory have fueled debates surrounding diversity policies. The issue has become increasingly politicized, leading to the introduction of more than 80 anti-DEI bills by lawmakers across the country since 2023, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Critics argue that DEI programs are vital for ensuring fair treatment and full participation of all individuals, particularly those from marginalized and minority groups. Ingrid Hadley, a DEI expert, emphasized that these programs are an extension of the Civil Rights movement and called for recognition of their importance.

The UNC Board of Governors' decision has significant implications not only for the university system but also for the state of North Carolina as a whole. With Republican control over the state legislature since 2011, including the Senate and the House of Representatives, there is interest among fellow Republicans in introducing anti-DEI legislation in the upcoming session.

The UNC Board of Governors will convene for their next meeting on May 22-23 in Raleigh, where the full board will reconsider the committee's decision. The outcome will determine the fate of DEI efforts at UNC and could potentially set a precedent for other universities grappling with similar issues.