UNC Wilmington Cuts DEI Office, Redirects $1.5 Million To Student Engagement

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) has eliminated its Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (OIDI), cutting 16 permanent positions and redirecting the saved $1.5 million to bolster student support initiatives. This move is in response to a mandate from the UNC Board of Governors, which calls for promoting equality, academic freedom and student success.

Among the positions eliminated were the Chief Diversity Officer, the Director of the Centro Hispano, and the Diversity and Inclusion Outreach Coordinator. The savings from these cuts will be used to fund five new roles focused on student engagement and retention, as well as increase financial aid for students in need.

According to a UNCW spokesperson, the university has shifted its cultural and identity centers to the Division of Student Affairs, providing them with the backing of a much larger staff. This reorganization aims to better serve students by integrating these centers into a broader division with 188 employees.

This restructuring aligns with actions taken by other universities, such as the University of Florida, which also cut DEI positions earlier this year. As more states pass anti-DEI legislation, universities are increasingly focusing on direct student support over diversity initiatives.

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