University of North Carolina at Charlotte closes three offices related to DEI programs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — A vote to replace the UNC System’s Policy on Diversity and Inclusion has led to employee changes on the University of North Carolina at Charlotte campus.

The university revealed this month that three Diversity and Inclusion-related offices closed, leading to 11 employees being reassigned following the May 23 vote . None of them lost their employment at UNC Charlotte.

In a letter to the campus community on Aug. 8, school officials said the offices affected were the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of Identity, Equity and Engagement, and the Office of Academic Diversity and Inclusion. And faculty members who held additional duties within these offices no longer have those responsibilities.

“UNC Charlotte remains committed to upholding its core values of fairness, academic excellence and student success,” the letter says. “Our goal is to create an environment where every individual, no matter their background, is welcomed and supported. We take great pride in all who make UNC Charlotte their home, and we are committed to ensuring our campus is a place where everyone can thrive and feel valued.”

The new UNC System policy takes the following current legal and policy requirements and applies them to offices and roles. Those three requirements are:

• Institutional Neutrality: No office or role within UNC institutions may be organized or operated on matters of contemporary political debate or social action.
• Prohibition of Compelled Speech: No office or role may endorse or express opinions about beliefs, affiliations, ideals or principles regarding contemporary political debate or social action.
• Prohibition of Promoting Certain Concepts: No office or role within system institutions may be organized or operated to promote a list of concepts.

Additionally, individuals are not permitted to speak on behalf of the university, or contract with third parties to provide training or consulting services, in a manner that violates any of these three requirements.

However, students who are not employees and student organizations are not subject to the policy.

During the vote to change the policy, two board members from Charlotte, Joel Ford and Sonja Philipps Nichols, were the only ones to dissent.

All institutions must certify their compliance with this new policy by Sept. 1.  The first day of classes at UNC Charlotte is Aug. 19.

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