RALEIGH, North Carolina – As North Carolina’s public university system considers voting on a change to its diversity policy, the system’s top university board voted Monday to cut funding for diversity programs in next year’s budget.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees approved a change that would divert $2.3 million from diversity funding to public safety and policing at a special meeting to address the university’s budget. The board’s vote would only impact UNC-Chapel Hill’s diversity funding, which could result in the loss of its diversity office.
The vote to shift more funding to public safety comes as ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on the UNC campus have resulted in several arrests in recent weeks. Budget committee vice-chair Marty Kotis said authorities have already been forced to respond to the protests, but need more funding to keep the university “safe from a greater threat.”
“It is important to consider the needs of all 30,000 students, not just the 100 or so who may want to disrupt university operations,” Kotis said. “It takes resources away from others.”
After approving the change in the budget committee, the plenary approved the measure at the end of the extraordinary meeting. Budget Chairman Dave Boliek, who is also running for state auditor in Tuesday’s runoff elections, said this gives the university an “opportunity to lead on this” and get ahead of the U.S. Board of Governors vote. North Carolina on its diversity policy.
Last month, the state board’s University Governance Committee voted to reverse and replace its DEI policy for 17 schools across the state. The change would alter a 2019 diversity, equity and inclusion regulation that defines the duties of various DEI positions — and would appear to eliminate those jobs if the policy were removed.
The full 24-member board is scheduled to vote next week on the policy change. If the change is approved, it will take effect immediately.
