UNC Reaches Settlement with Trump Administration Over Antisemitism, Race Probes

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has reached a settlement with the Trump administration, closing 18 federal investigations and a separate Justice Department compliance review concerning allegations of antisemitism and race-based admissions. The voluntary agreement, effective until the end of 2028, allows UNC to retain its eligibility for federal funding without the university admitting to any wrongdoing or liability.

Under the terms of the settlement, UNC will establish new internal roles to address discrimination complaints. Elizabeth Hall, associate vice chancellor for university compliance, has been appointed to serve as both an internal "Merit & Civil Rights Administrator" and a "Title VI Coordinator." These roles will streamline the process for handling complaints related to antisemitism and race-based discrimination and serve as the primary point of contact for the Justice Department regarding UNC's reporting obligations.

UNC Chancellor Lee H. Roberts stated that the agreement reinforces the university's commitment to the fair and equal treatment of all individuals on campus. He added that UNC is proud to resolve these issues in a manner that protects its mission and affirms the civil rights of its community members, noting the heightened scrutiny universities have faced in recent years.

The settlement mandates that UNC provide mandatory antisemitism training for its students, faculty, and staff. Additionally, the university will prohibit the use of face masks to conceal identity, with certain exceptions, and student groups will be subject to discipline for antisemitic discriminatory conduct.

The agreement also specifies that UNC will adopt a "color-blind admissions system," meaning race will not be used to alter the admissions process or change the racial composition of its student body. However, the university may still consider how applicants have overcome adversity on a personal level, including aspects of family background such as poverty, provided these considerations are applied consistently.

UNC will be required to submit all antisemitism and race discrimination complaints received to the Department of Justice and the Department of Education on a quarterly basis. The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights will close its 18 active investigations into UNC, and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division will conclude its 18-month compliance review, which began in April 2025.

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon stated that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act mandates equal treatment for all students, regardless of ancestry or race, at federally funded institutions. She commended UNC for its cooperation in fulfilling its legal obligations without litigation, expressing hope that other institutions will follow suit.

This settlement follows the Supreme Court's 2023 decision that rejected affirmative action in college admissions, a ruling that specifically addressed race-based admissions programs at UNC and Harvard. The administration has previously targeted universities with investigations and threats of funding withdrawal in response to pro-Palestinian protests, diversity initiatives, and transgender policies.

In related actions, the federal government has also reached settlements with other universities, including Columbia University, which agreed to pay over $200 million to resolve federal probes, and Brown University, which committed $50 million over 10 years to Rhode Island workforce development organizations as part of its settlement.