UNC settles 18 probes, preserves federal funding

The Trump Administration is holding schools accountable for antisemitism at American universities and ensuring that institutions, which have no problem accessing generous taxpayer support, follow all federal laws and ensure safe learning environments, Kimberly Richey said. UNC finalized a voluntary agreement with the Justice and Education departments after about a year of negotiations, closing 18 federal civil rights investigations and an admissions review opened in April 2025. UNC admitted no wrongdoing, will pay no settlement, and keeps eligibility for federal grants and research funding through Dec. 31, 2028. Chancellor Lee H. Roberts said the announcement reinforces fair and equal treatment and resolves issues while protecting the university mission and civil rights of everyone in the community. UNC said the agreement expressly affirms academic freedom and that the federal government will not dictate academic speech or curricula. Required measures include appointing Elizabeth Hall as Title VI coordinator and Civil Rights and Merit Administrator, mandatory antisemitism training, a ban on face coverings that conceal identity during protests, color-blind admissions barred from race or racial proxies, and quarterly compliance reports from Roberts. Some pending probes may pause and close without adverse findings if UNC complies. The administration cast the deal as enforcing civil-rights law; UNC said it approached officials amid national funding threats.