University of North Carolina settles federal probes by Trump administration

In a recent development, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has reached a settlement agreement with the Trump administration to resolve 18 federal investigations into alleged race discrimination and antisemitism at the university. The voluntary settlement, which does not require a monetary settlement payment, remains effective until the end of 2028. UNC has not admitted to any wrongdoing or liability, and the deal preserves its eligibility for federal funding.

As part of the agreement, UNC will appoint an internal administrator and establish a coordinator position in its compliance office to address discrimination, including antisemitism. Elizabeth Hall, associate vice chancellor for university compliance, will serve in both roles and act as the point of contact for the Justice Department, overseeing UNC's reporting obligations under the deal.

The settlement prohibits face masks or coverings that conceal an individual's identity during protests and states that student groups will be subject to discipline for antisemitic discriminatory conduct. Trump has accused pro-Palestinian protesters of being antisemitic and supporting extremism, but protesters, including some Jewish groups, argue that opposing Israel's actions in Palestine does not equate to antisemitism or endorsing extremism.

Under the agreement, UNC will adopt and maintain non-discriminatory admissions policies and will not use racial proxies. However, the deal does allow the university to consider how applicants overcame adversity on a personal level and may consider factors such as poverty if consistently applied.

The Justice Department stated that UNC will send any antisemitism and race discrimination complaints it receives on a quarterly basis to the US Justice and Education Departments. The Supreme Court recently ruled that affirmative action in college admissions, as practiced at Harvard and UNC, is unconstitutional.

The Trump administration has targeted universities over protests, diversity initiatives, transgender policies, and climate programs, leading to concerns about free speech, due process, and academic freedom. Other schools, including Columbia University and Brown University, have also settled with the government over similar issues.