The US Justice and Education Departments announced on Monday that they have reached a sweeping settlement agreement with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) to resolve long-running federal investigations into campus antisemitism and race-based discrimination.
Before reaching the settlement, UNC had become the target of mounting federal oversight. Over several years, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened 18 separate investigations into the university regarding alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Those inquiries spanned complaints involving discrimination, campus climate issues, and how the institution handled allegations of antisemitism.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division launched a broad compliance review on April 18, 2025, to examine the university's practices across both campus operations and admissions.
University agrees to introduce reforms to campus climate, procedures, admissions
Under the terms of the agreement, the federal government will close all 18 Office for Civil Rights investigations along with the Civil Rights Division review without issuing adverse findings. In exchange, UNC agreed to implement comprehensive reforms regarding campus climate, disciplinary procedures, and admissions practices.
The university expressly denied liability and noted that the agreement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing. However, the settlement requires UNC to overhaul several key operational areas to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
To oversee these changes, UNC must select a Merit and Civil Rights Administrator within 30 days. This official will report directly to the university's chancellor and provide quarterly reports to federal authorities detailing all complaints received regarding race, color, national origin, or shared Jewish and Israeli ancestry.
The university is also required to submit quarterly compliance reports and retain accurate records of all disciplinary and investigative actions through December 31, 2028.
Strict protocols to combat antisemitism on UNC campus
The agreement mandates strict protocols to combat antisemitism on campus. UNC must establish a dedicated Title VI Coordinator position within its compliance office, maintain clear policies prohibiting physical threats, targeted violence, and harassment that limits students' ability to learn or participate in university life, and ensure that Jewish and Israeli students are fully covered under non-discrimination protections.
Additionally, the university must institute mandatory annual antisemitism training for all students, faculty, and staff, deploy increased law enforcement resources when necessary to protect Jewish and Israeli students, and enforce strict restrictions on facial coverings that conceal individual identities during campus demonstrations.
Student groups that engage in discriminatory conduct face potential sanctions, including defunding, suspension, or de-recognition.
Regarding admissions and student benefits, UNC agreed to adopt strictly color-blind and non-discriminatory policies.
The university is barred from considering race or other protected characteristics in admissions selections, scholarship awards, student aid, affinity groups, or programming, ensuring compliance with the Supreme Court's precedent in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard.
Admissions personnel must be screened, trained
Furthermore, the institution must utilize standardized test scores when submitted by applicants and ensure that admissions personnel are thoroughly screened and trained.
"Title VI requires that all students, regardless of their ancestry or race, receive equal treatment under the law at federally funded colleges and universities," Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said in a statement on Monday. "Higher ed policies and practices that tolerate antisemitism or favor certain racial groups over others, frustrate our color-blind justice system.
The Civil Rights Division commends UNC for its cooperation in meeting its obligations under federal law without the need for litigation; we hope other institutions will take note and do the same."
Department of Education Office for Civil Rights statement
Assistant Secretary Kimberly Richey of the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights also issued a statement on Monday.
"Today’s agreement with the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill is an important step in upholding civil rights laws and restoring the American people’s confidence in higher education," Richey said.
"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. Because of today’s agreement with UNC, aspiring students will be assessed based solely on their merit — not race — and Jewish students can thrive without the threat of antisemitic discrimination."
Because of its cooperation, UNC will remain eligible to receive federal funding and participate in federal grants and contracts.