Diversity jobs at North Carolina public universities may be at risk with upcoming board vote

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s public university system could soon join other major universities in drastically cutting existing diversity programs and jobs if its governing board votes to repeal a nearly five-year-old diversity, equity and inclusion policy on Thursday.

The proposed policy change focuses on removing a 2019 regulation that outlines various DEI positions — such as diversity officers across the university system — and also defines officers’ roles and duties, such as assisting with diversity programming and managing trainings for staff and students.

The new policy does not include the outlined responsibilities of DEI officers and liaisons, suggesting they may be eliminated. It passed through the board’s university governance committee last month in less than four minutes with no discussion.

An affirmative vote by the board would mean the change would take effect immediately, affecting all 17 schools in the system.

Ahead of the final vote, public feedback on the policy has largely been limited to a submission form on the board’s website, which closes Thursday. As of Monday, more than 250 people had submitted public comments — with most identifying as alumni, according to University of North Carolina system public records.

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