The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Board of Trustees unanimously voted to redirect $2.3 million in funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs to police and public safety.
Motivated by recent pro-Palestinian campus protests, the board reasoned that more funds were needed for law enforcement on campus.
“It’s important to consider the needs of all 30,000 students, not just 100 or so that may want to disrupt the university’s operations,” Trustee Marty Kotis told the News and Observer.
Board Chairman Dave Boliek also cited “administrative bloat” and noted that the cut was under discussion before the protests began.
“Any cuts in administration and diverting of dollars to rubber-meets-the-road efforts like public safety and teaching is important,” he said.
Boliek added that he believes the move may result in layoffs. UNC policy requires all schools in the system to have a minimum of one senior-level administrator responsible for “policy development and strategic planning to promote and advance” diversity and inclusion. Under the new changes, that mandate would be eliminated.
The Washington Examiner reached out to UNC for comment.
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The cuts appear to be the harbinger of even larger blows to DEI at the university — UNC’s governance committee passed a new policy restricting DEI programs statewide last month. The university’s Board of Governors is due to vote on the policy next week.
DEI programs at universities saw a surge in popularity following the riots surrounding the death of George Floyd in the summer of 2020, with DEI departments sprouting up on many campuses in the aftermath. Their popularity rapidly declined in the ensuing years, with their decline pushed on by mismanagement and displeasure over nationwide pro-Palestinian campus protests.
