UNC Wilmington faces backlash over closure of diversity offices

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The University of North Carolina Wilmington is facing criticism after announcing the closure of its Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.

The move, prompted by policy changes from the UNC Board of Governors, also includes the elimination of the Chief Diversity Officer position and the reassignment of cultural and identity centers to Student Affairs.

The changes, which come just weeks before the start of the new academic year, have sparked concerns from students, faculty, and community leaders.

UNCW Chancellor Aswani K. Volety said in a statement that the decision was made with “careful and deliberate thought,” emphasizing the university’s commitment to compliance with the new policy, continued student success, and the protection of permanent staff from layoffs.

Dr. Donyell Roseboro, the current Chief Diversity Officer, will transition back to a faculty position within the Watson College of Education. The university’s cultural centers, including the Upperman African American Cultural Center, Centro Hispano, Mohin-Scholz LGBTQIA Resource Center, and the Asian Heritage Cultural Center, will remain in their current locations under Student Affairs. However, the shift in oversight is expected to lead to changes in staffing and programming, raising concerns about the future of these resources.

Local civil rights leaders have voiced strong opposition to the decision.

President Deborah Dicks Maxwell of the North Carolina NAACP State Conference expressed deep concern.  “This closure comes just weeks before students who are in need of guidance and assistance navigating the world of higher education arrive,” Maxwell said.

President LeRon Montgomery of the New Hanover County Branch of the NAACP also criticized the move. “This act against students reeks of those who wish to undermine those who do not look or act like them. What message does this give to the community? You leave one staff member per center. This is unacceptable,” Montgomery said.

WWAY is sitting down with Christine Reed Davis, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at UNCW, to go into further detail about the policy change. That story airs tonight on WWAY.