On May 23, 2024, the UNC System Board of Governors repealed the policy on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and replaced it with Section 300.8.5 titled “Equality Within the University of North Carolina.” The bill prohibits institutions from taking official stances on political controversies or engaging in “activities that could be interpreted as political activism,” per the committee report.
On Jan. 20, 2025, NC State’s Student Senate Standing Committee on Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach (DIO) compiled a report in response to the bill, detailing NC State’s compliance and its impact on the campus community. The Student Senate voted to endorse this report.
The Equality Within the University of North Carolina report further codifies the changes, prohibitions and requirements outlined in Senate Bill 195 (S195), which passed through the North Carolina General Assembly in 2023.
Specifically, Section 300.8.5 restricts the promotion of any viewpoints that could be considered politically charged by “prohibiting the endorsement, funding or hosting” of programs that could suggest the university supports either side of a controversial debate.
The DIO committee suggests that S195 and Section 300.8.5 are parts of broader pushes to define and enforce what their report refers to as “institutional neutrality.” The report references the University of Chicago’s Kalven Committee Report of 1967 which proclaims that for a university to perform its mission to society it must, “sustain an extraordinary environment of freedom of inquiry and maintain an independence from political fashions, passions and pressures.”
However, as the diversity subcommittee argues, a university committed to neutrality that eliminates or reduces its DEI-focused resources is “less able” to fulfill its mission. “The negative impacts [will] continue to be seen on the students and their success as a result of the repeal of Regulation on Diversity and Inclusion Within the University of North Carolina,” said the report.
NC State University submitted its own report on how it would comply with Section 300.8.5, notably eliminating eight jobs and realigning 29 others across all levels of the university. Additionally, the university renamed its Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED) to the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO).
Further, the university has suspended all DEI-related training that is not explicitly required by law. Changes also include moving the Disability Resource Office (DRO) from the Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA) to the Office of Equal Opportunity. The Student Success Centers, formerly the Campus Community Centers under OIED, were moved under DASA.
The DIO affirms that the centers will remain open for students to use their resources and attend center-sponsored events. Still, they suggest that the transitions will strain DASA, its staff and their ability to allocate resources to the centers. The excess strain could create skepticism about whether the centers’ remaining resources will withstand the policy changes.
The DIO report argues that DEI-focused centers are critical to student success, specifically for marginalized and underrepresented students. They say the reduction and realignment of DEI-based offices disrupt the support that the centers provide, emphasizing that students may struggle to find similar levels of support following the elimination of specific dedicated resources. “This change may result in a gap for those who depend on these offices for success inside and outside of the classroom, individual representation and personal guidance, potentially affecting their academic engagement and overall sense of belonging within their institution,” the report said.
Another harrowing impact of Section 300.8.5 is eliminating the UNC System requirements to instate “Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) activities” at all institutions. Section 300.8.5 removes funding for such activities, redirecting their budgets to existing or restructured programs. According to the DIO, NC State reports saving $4,909,053 by eliminating DEI-related programs and job positions. In total, the UNC System reports saving $17,118,889 since the elimination and realignment began.
The DIO is particularly concerned with how the new restrictions could stifle student discussions surrounding diverse, controversial topics. According to their report, “students may feel discouraged from organizing or attending events that address race, gender and social justice issues.” The report continues, stating that the restrictions force student organizations to navigate the limitations of institutional support. Organizations must now make strategic decisions about how they brand and communicate events (such as advocacy, protests and forums) that may conflict with institutional neutrality.
Although Section 300.8.5 aims to deconstruct community pillars and reconstruct profits, DIO defends NC State’s remaining critical resources.
