UNCW students protest proposed DEI policy change
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A student-led protest broke out on UNCW’s campus Monday afternoon.
Dozens of protestors marched along Chancellor’s Walk, chanting “DEI cannot go.” The protest was organized by UNCW Black Student Union and comes in response to a UNC Board of Governors proposal that takes aim at diversity, equity, and inclusion on college campuses.
The University Governance committee voted to reverse and replace a policy related to DEI on April 17. If the board of governors upholds the decision at their next meeting on May 15, it would effectively dismantle current DEI programs on state college campuses.
The proposal comes as universities around the country are dissolving their DEI programs.
Many students, including former SGA President Cody Brandon, feel the loss of DEI programs would mean a loss of representation for minority students.
“DEI is important to all UNC system schools because these students who feel marginalized or who are marginalized, these are spaces for them to feel safe and comfortable with where they go to school,” he said.
Calls for upholding DEI were echoed by protestor Dre Gibso.
“Even though they say they’re updating [DEI policy], we’re fighting for a greater cause.” he said. “We know that they spend less than 1% of their annual budget towards the DEI programs around the state of North Carolina. There are certain schools that don’t even get funding.”
WWAY reached out to a spokesperson for the UNC System, they released a statement from Board of Governors Chair Randy Ramsey that reads:
“Welcoming students from all backgrounds makes our universities better and stronger. North Carolina is a diverse state, and our public universities belong to everyone.
That means we cannot require everyone to think the same way about race, gender, or any other challenging topic. Too often in recent years, there has been a narrowing of room for good-faith discussion on our campuses about some of the most important issues in American life. Our universities must encourage the free and open exchange of ideas, especially on difficult subjects, and that’s what this policy is designed to do.
Our aim is to protect the freedom of students and faculty to teach, research and advocate, while insisting that administrators and staff will follow the law when it comes to institutional neutrality. Our universities will support intellectual freedom, not promote a particular ideology.
I expect to see a lot of debate and feedback about this proposal over the next month, and questions about how it might affect each of our campuses. I welcome that discussion and the opportunity to emphasize this Board’s commitment to equal opportunity and student success.”
The UNC System spokesperson also provided the following statment from UNC System President Peter Hans:
“The University of North Carolina will continue serving students of all backgrounds and beliefs. There is broad and deep commitment to that goal, and support for the UNC System’s longstanding efforts to reflect the diversity of North Carolina.
We have well-established laws and policies that prohibit discrimination, protect equal opportunity, and require a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. We will uphold those responsibilities”
