UNC system eliminates 59 DEI jobs and realigns 132 other positions

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Dozens of diversity, equity and inclusion programs and jobs have been eliminated as colleges and universities in the University of North Carolina system across the state work to comply with the mandated commitment of neutrality.

The UNC Board of Governors met Wednesday morning in downtown Raleigh to announce that so far, complying campuses have eliminated 59 DEI jobs, realigned 132 other positions, and saved the UNC system over $17 million.

“I think true inclusion comes from when everyone’s together,” N.C. State sophomore Cale Tomlin said. “It’s not just people being singled out for physical properties.”

Doing away with the DEI campus connections has been discussed since 2019. The UNC Board of Governors’ mandate came in May to phase out DEI over time and implement more student-neutral programs and initiatives.

“A lot of students I’ve seen, not just at N.C. State, but also at UNC, are worried about what that’ll mean for future minorities who apply to a lot of schools in North Carolina,” N.C. State freshman Kennedy Knight said. “They’re worried our populations might go down on campus.”

The second round of certifications will be scheduled for sometime next year. More DEI programs and jobs are expected to be cut.

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