University of North Carolina, US Justice Dept. reach settlement to end antisemitism probe

On Monday, the US Justice and Education Departments announced a settlement agreement with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) to resolve multiple federal investigations into antisemitism and race-based discrimination on campus. UNC had been under scrutiny for several years, with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights conducting 18 separate investigations into alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

These investigations covered complaints related to discrimination, campus climate issues, and how the university handled antisemitism allegations.

Under the settlement, the federal government will close all 18 investigations and the Civil Rights Division's review without issuing adverse findings. In return, UNC agreed to implement comprehensive reforms. These reforms include creating a Title VI Coordinator position to report quarterly to federal authorities, establishing strict anti-antisemitism protocols, and implementing mandatory annual antisemitism training for all students, faculty, and staff.

The university must also adopt color-blind and non-discriminatory admissions policies, ensuring equal treatment for all students, including Jewish and Israeli students, and prohibiting race-based considerations in admissions, scholarships, and student aid.

UNC agreed to remove racial and ethnic considerations from admissions decisions, scholarship awards, and student aid, and to rely solely on academic merit, such as standardized test scores, for admissions decisions. The settlement requires UNC to maintain accurate records of all disciplinary and investigative actions through December 31, 2028.

The agreement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing, but it mandates significant changes to address the allegations and restore compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.