UNC System Suspends DEI Course Requirements Following Trump Executive Order

In response to a recent executive order by President Trump, the University of North Carolina (UNC) System has mandated the suspension of all course credit requirements related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The order, effective immediately, threatens the loss of over $1.4 billion in federal research funding if the universities do not comply. According to Andrew Tripp, UNC's Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs, while DEI courses can still be offered, they cannot be required for graduation. The decision reflects broader changes in federal policy aimed at eliminating DEI-focused education in public institutions. Chancellors across the UNC System were informed that students currently enrolled in DEI courses may choose to complete them or withdraw without penalty. The suspension is intended to protect federal funding while allowing academic freedom in course offerings.