Federal Settlement Closes Investigations at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The Trump administration reached a voluntary settlement with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that closes 18 active federal investigations and a separate Justice Department compliance review regarding alleged antisemitism and race discrimination. The agreement requires no monetary payment and contains no admission of wrongdoing or liability by the university, allowing UNC to maintain its eligibility for federal funding through the end of 2028.
Under the terms of the deal, UNC must appoint an internal compliance structure, provide mandatory training, and adopt a color-blind admissions system. A representative from the Civil Rights Division stated that Title VI requires equal treatment under the law for all students at federally funded institutions, commending UNC for its cooperation without the need for litigation.
UNC Appoints Elizabeth Hall to Oversee Federal Compliance
To satisfy the federal requirements, UNC appointed Elizabeth Hall, associate vice chancellor for university compliance, to serve in two newly established roles: an internal “Merit & Civil Rights Administrator” and a “Title VI Coordinator” within the compliance office. Hall will act as the primary point of contact for the Justice Department and oversee the university’s quarterly reporting obligations. Under the agreement, UNC must send all received antisemitism and race discrimination complaints to the DOJ and the Department of Education every three months. The deal also requires the university to provide mandatory antisemitism training to all students, faculty, and staff.
Settlement Prohibits Identity Concealing Masks During Campus Protests
The settlement addresses campus demonstrations by explicitly prohibiting face masks used to conceal an individual’s identity, subject to certain limited exceptions. The agreement also specifies that student groups will face discipline for antisemitic discriminatory conduct. President Donald Trump and administration officials have repeatedly accused pro-Palestinian protesters of antisemitism. In response, protesters and some Jewish groups maintain that opposing Israel’s military offensive in Gaza is distinct from antisemitism and that advocating for Palestinian rights does not indicate support for extremism.
UNC Must Maintain Race Blind Policies for Student Benefits
UNC must also maintain race-blind policies across student benefits, scholarships, financial aid, and campus programming.
Broader Federal Actions Against Higher Education
The UNC resolution follows the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision rejecting affirmative action and striking down race-based admissions programs at both UNC and Harvard. The administration has targeted universities nationwide through probes and threats to pull federal funding over pro-Palestinian campus protests, diversity initiatives, and transgender policies. Other institutions have faced similar settlements, including Columbia University, which agreed to pay more than $200 million last year, and Brown University, which agreed to provide $50 million over 10 years to Rhode Island workforce-development organizations. Harvard University has not yet reached an agreement with the federal government.