UNC settles 18 federal probes under Trump administration deal

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has reached a settlement with the Trump administration to close 18 federal investigations into alleged race discrimination and antisemitism, bringing a series of federal probes into the university to a close while imposing new compliance requirements.

The voluntary agreement, released by the university and the federal government, does not require UNC to pay a financial penalty. The university has also not admitted to any wrongdoing or liability, and its eligibility for federal funding remains intact. The agreement will remain in effect until the end of 2028.

Under the deal, UNC must strengthen its procedures for addressing discrimination, including antisemitism, and introduce mandatory antisemitism training for students, faculty and staff.

The university has appointed Elizabeth Hall, associate vice chancellor for university compliance, to serve as the internal administrator and coordinator responsible for overseeing the requirements. Hall will also act as the university's point of contact with the US Justice Department and supervise reporting obligations under the agreement.

The settlement also introduces restrictions on campus protests. It prohibits face masks or other coverings used to conceal an individual's identity during demonstrations and states that student groups may face disciplinary action for antisemitic discriminatory conduct.

Admissions policies face renewed scrutiny

The agreement requires UNC to maintain non-discriminatory admissions policies and prohibits the use of racial proxies in admissions decisions.

However, the university may consider how applicants have overcome personal adversity. It may also take aspects of an applicant's family background, such as poverty, into account, provided such factors are applied consistently.

The Justice Department will receive quarterly reports from UNC detailing complaints of antisemitism and race discrimination. The university must submit these reports to both the Justice Department and the US Department of Education.

The settlement comes after the US Supreme Court's 2023 decision striking down race-conscious admissions programmes at Harvard University and UNC, ruling that the programmes violated the law.

University investigations fuel debate over academic freedom

The agreement is part of a broader Trump administration campaign targeting universities over allegations involving antisemitism, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, transgender policies and other campus programmes.

The administration has also threatened or suspended federal funding at some institutions over disputes linked to campus policies and pro-Palestinian demonstrations against Israel's military campaign in Gaza. These actions have sparked concerns among academics and civil rights advocates about free speech, due process and institutional independence.

The debate over antisemitism has been particularly contentious. The Trump administration has accused some pro-Palestinian protesters of antisemitism and support for extremism. Protesters, including Jewish groups, have argued that opposition to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and its military actions in Gaza does not, in itself, constitute antisemitism or support for extremism.

The administration's university investigations have also faced criticism over their evidentiary basis. In August, a former Justice Department attorney alleged in a whistleblower complaint that some investigations into antisemitism at universities lacked evidence and had predetermined outcomes.

Trump has separately sought to dismantle diversity initiatives, arguing that they discriminate against white people and men. Civil rights advocates counter that such programmes help address barriers faced by ethnic minorities, women and LGBT communities.

Federal scrutiny of universities continues

UNC is among the institutions that have reached settlements with the federal government as the administration pursues investigations into campus policies and alleged discrimination.

The agreement allows UNC to retain federal funding while committing the university to new training, reporting and compliance measures. It also places greater scrutiny on admissions practices and the handling of discrimination complaints.

While the settlement closes the 18 investigations covered by the deal, it leaves universities and their governing bodies navigating the wider debate over how to address discrimination, protect students and uphold free expression on campus.