UNC Wilmington Eliminates DEI Positions, Redirects $1.5 Million To Student Support

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) recently eliminated 16 permanent positions within its Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (OIDI) and is reallocating the saved $1.5 million to support students directly. This decision follows a mandate from the UNC Board of Governors, aimed at promoting non-discrimination, academic freedom and student success while ensuring institutional neutrality.

Chancellor Aswani K. Volety, in partnership with Vice Chancellor Christine Reed Davis, announced the restructuring, which included the elimination of positions such as the Chief Diversity Officer, Director of the LGBTQIA Resource Center, and the Diversity and Inclusion Outreach Coordinator. The funds saved from these cuts will be used to create five new roles within Student Engagement and Retention and to enhance need-based financial aid.

In a statement, a UNCW spokesperson explained that moving the cultural and identity centers to the Division of Student Affairs would better serve students by giving these centers access to greater resources. The shift places the centers within a larger division, increasing their support from 16 employees to 188 staff members dedicated to student success.

This move aligns with similar actions at universities across the country, such as the University of Florida, which also eliminated DEI positions in response to state legislation aimed at curbing diversity programs. The changes reflect a growing trend of universities reassessing their DEI initiatives in favor of more direct support for students.