WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump's administration has reached a settlement with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to close 18 federal probes into alleged race discrimination and antisemitism at the university.
Trump has targeted universities with investigations and threats to suspend funding over pro-Palestinian protests against US ally Israel's assault on Gaza, diversity initiatives, transgender policies and climate programmes, raising concerns over free speech, due process and academic freedom.
The voluntary settlement agreement, released by both parties, does not require a monetary payment and will remain in effect until the end of 2028. UNC did not admit to any wrongdoing or liability, and the deal preserves its eligibility for federal funding.
The agreement said UNC would appoint an internal administrator and establish a coordinator position in its compliance office to address discrimination, including antisemitism. It also requires UNC to provide mandatory antisemitism training for students, faculty and staff.
The university said Elizabeth Hall, associate vice-chancellor for university compliance, had been appointed to serve in both roles. She will also act as the point of contact for the Justice Department and oversee UNC's reporting obligations under the deal.
The agreement prohibits face masks or coverings that conceal an individual's identity during protests. It states that student groups "shall be subject to discipline for antisemitic discriminatory conduct".
Trump has alleged that pro-Palestinian protesters are antisemitic and support extremism.
Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say opposing Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and its assault on Gaza is not antisemitic, and that advocating for Palestinian rights does not imply support for extremism.
A former Justice Department attorney said in a whistleblower complaint in August that the Trump administration's probes of universities over antisemitism allegations lacked evidence and had predetermined outcomes.
The settlement says UNC will adopt and maintain "non-discriminatory" admissions policies and "not use any racial proxy".
It does not prevent UNC from considering how applicants have overcome personal adversity. The university may also consider aspects of family background, such as poverty, provided those considerations are applied consistently, the deal said.
The Justice Department said UNC would submit any complaints of antisemitism and race discrimination it had received to the US Justice and Education departments on a quarterly basis.
The Supreme Court rejected affirmative action at colleges in 2023 when it struck down race-conscious admissions programmes at Harvard and UNC.
Trump has cracked down on diversity initiatives, casting them as discriminatory against white people and men. Civil rights advocates say such initiatives help marginalised groups, including ethnic minorities, LGBT communities and women.
The government has also reached settlements with other universities.
Last year, Columbia University agreed to pay more than US$200 million to the government to resolve investigations, while Brown University said it would pay US$50 million to support local workforce development under a settlement.
Harvard has yet to reach a deal.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd