RALEIGH, N.C. — As North Carolina’s public university system considers a vote on changing its diversity policy, the system’s main 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 an amendment that would redirect $2.3 million in diversity funding to public safety and police during a special meeting to discuss the university’s budget. The board’s vote would only affect UNC-Chapel Hill’s diversity funding, which could result in the loss of the diversity office.
The vote to shift more money to public safety comes as ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on the UNC campus have led to several arrests in recent weeks. Budget Committee Vice Chairman Marty Kotis said law enforcement has already been forced to respond to protests, but they need more funding to “protect the university from a greater threat.”
“It is important to consider the needs of all 30,000 students, not just the hundred or so who want to disrupt the university’s operations,” Kotis said. “It takes resources away from others.”
After approving the change in the Budget Committee, the full board approved the measure at the end of the special meeting. Budget Chairman Dave Boliek, who is also running for state auditor in Tuesday’s runoff election, said it gives the university an “opportunity to lead the way on this” and get ahead of the University Board of Governors’ vote of North Carolina on its diversity policy. .
Last month, the statewide governing body’s Committee on University Governance voted to roll back and replace DEI policies for 17 schools across the state. The change would alter the 2019 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion regulations that define the roles of various DEI positions — and it appears these jobs will disappear if the policy is repealed.
The full 24-member board will vote on the policy change next week. If the change is approved, it will take effect immediately.
