UNC Settlement Resolves 18 Federal Civil Rights Investigations

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reached a settlement with the federal government earlier in the week of Oct. 22, resolving civil rights investigations involving antisemitism and racial discrimination. The agreement closes 18 investigations dating back to 2019 and remains in effect through the end of 2028.

Under the settlement, UNC must adopt a color-blind admissions system and require antisemitism training. The Department of Justice said the agreement also covers the university's work to prevent and address unlawful discrimination and harassment, including antisemitism. Its scope includes nondiscrimination in admissions, scholarships and student programs.

University officials said the resolution would preserve UNC's eligibility for federal grants and research funding. The settlement comes as universities face increased scrutiny from the Trump administration, with federal officials emphasizing institutions' responsibilities to comply with civil rights laws and provide safe learning environments.

Harmeet K. Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, said Title VI requires federally funded colleges and universities to treat students equally regardless of race or ancestry. She criticized policies that tolerate antisemitism or give preference to particular racial groups. Dhillon praised UNC's cooperation in addressing its federal obligations without litigation and encouraged other institutions to follow its example.

Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary in the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, described the agreement as a step toward enforcing civil rights protections and rebuilding public confidence in higher education. She said the administration was holding universities accountable for antisemitism and expected institutions receiving taxpayer support to follow federal law.

UNC student body president Devin Duncan told ABC11 he welcomed the university's ability to move forward without admitting wrongdoing. He also said he believed UNC offered an inclusive environment. Still, Duncan expressed concern about the implications of the agreement and stressed that signing it should be accompanied by transparency.

Duncan said the university needed to maintain a firm commitment to its independence, which he described as important to the education of every Carolina student. His comments paired support for moving beyond the investigations with concern about how the institution protects that independence.

Chancellor Lee Roberts said in a statement that the resolution affirmed UNC's commitment to equal and fair treatment. He noted that universities had experienced heightened public scrutiny on a range of issues for at least a decade under different presidential administrations. Roberts said UNC had resolved the matters in a way that protected its mission and affirmed civil rights throughout its community.