A message from University leadership: UNC System office memorandum regarding federal contracting compliance

Dear Carolina community,

On Feb. 6, the UNC System sent a memo with guidance on federal contracting compliance. We are writing to share how this guidance will be implemented at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The guidance explains that as a system, UNC schools receive a significant amount of federal funding through research and student aid and are subject to the Jan. 21 executive order titled Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.

To become compliant, “all general education requirements and major-specific requirements mandating completion of course credits related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, or any other topic identified in Section VII of the Equality Policy are suspended.” This policy does not suspend any current classes, and it does not change any content taught within those classes.

As a result, Carolina will no longer require the “U.S. Diversity” requirement under the Making Connections general education curriculum. This change accelerates an ongoing transition from the old Making Connections to the new IDEAs in Action general education curriculum. Faculty members teaching the courses in that requirement will be able to proceed, and students can continue to take the classes if they choose. The Registrar will reach out to all students impacted by this change to discuss their options. Afterwards, they can confer with their academic advisor to ensure all other degree requirements, including the total number of credit hours, are met as they make this decision.

Moving forward, we will continue to study the guidance to determine the impacts under the IDEAs in Action general education curriculum and will communicate with schools and departments if there are further required changes for the summer and fall semesters.

Sincerely,

Lee H. Roberts
Chancellor

J. Christopher Clemens
Provost