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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
130 Mason Farm Road
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
Phone
(919) 962-2211
School Information
"The nation’s first public university is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina and throughout the world. Carolina’s nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continue the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students. In Chapel Hill, students develop a voice for critical thought and the courage to guide change. They connect to the future they’re already shaping. Carolina is committed to access for all, providing life-changing opportunities such as the Carolina Covenant, which promises a debt-free education to low-income students." The university enrolls over 30,100 students, employs over 3,800 faculty, and offer over 240 academic programs. (Source: https://www.unc.edu/about/) (Source: https://www.unc.edu/about/by-the-numbers/)
General Information
UNC Chapel Hill's music department introduced a "Do the Work Wednesday" series, providing anti-racist resources, as well as posts on racism and sexism in American music theory. As this is a new initiative, updates are expected. Additionally, the Racial Equity Task Force recommended bias training for students, faculty, and staff members. See developments below:

Actions Taken

Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • UNC's "Racial Equity Task Force" recommended that, "Students, faculty and staff members across the university system, especially those in supervisory roles, should be trained in racial and cultural issues and to recognize bias."
  • UNC Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz announced through a mass email and online letter that UNC faculty and staff will be required to participate in “diversity, equity and inclusion training” beginning in March. This Is the first of several planned trainings (this one titled: “Managing Bias”), and a separate training program is in development for the undergraduate students as well.
  • In June, UNC proposed the creation of a “Racial Equity Institute” training for senior leaders (vice chancellors, vice provosts, deans)
Political Actions and Support for Anti-Racism
  • The English and Comparative Literature Department's “Diversity & Inclusion” page includes a “Statement of Support of the Black Lives Matter Movement,”
Re-Imagining Policing
  • UNC's "Racial Equity Task Force" recommended that, "campus police agencies refer more students to counseling or the student conduct process rather than prosecuting them criminally."
Resources
  • UNC's music department introduced a "Do the Work Wednesday" series, providing anti-racist resources, as well as posts on racism and sexism in American music theory.
  • The UNC Office for Diversity and Inclusion holds a “Race, Racism and Racial Equity (R3) Symposium” which is intended to promote the causes of diversity, equity, and inclusion, while simultaneously addressing concepts such as “implicit bias.”
  • The UNC Office for Diversity and Inclusion holds "Carolina Conversations” events that are all intended to promote the causes of diversity, equity, and inclusion, while simultaneously addressing concepts such as “implicit bias.”
  • The UNC Office for Diversity and Inclusion holds an annual “THINKposium" which is intended to promote the causes of diversity, equity, and inclusion, while simultaneously addressing concepts such as “implicit bias.”
  • UNC Libraries has a full page full of resources related to understanding and combatting “implicit bias” in favor of DEI.
  • Department of English and Comparative Literature's page contains a “D&I Committee” link, and an assortment of DEI related material.
  • The School of Education offers two courses explicitly based on Critical Race Theory: EDUC 512 “Critical Examination of Racism and Education: African American Case Example” & EDUC 972 “Critical Race Theory: History, Research, and Practice”
  • UNC has a Postdoc program for the purpose of “develop[ing] scholars who can contribute to the diversity of the campus” and transitioning them to a tenure track position at UNC or other research universities.
  • University libraries have launched the "Reckoning Initiative" "to advance racial equity, inclusion and antiracism within the organization and through its work."
  • The university offers extensive DEI training opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. This also includes the "Racism Scale," a way in which individuals can gauge their level of racist tendencies.
Symbolic Actions
  • The ODI provides awards for the most active members in the university (faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, alumni, etc. ) in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • UNC History Department posted a “Statement on White House Memo Barring Federal Agencies from Race-Related Trainings” in response to a Trump administration memo banning Critical Race Theory training sessions. The Letter claims that ”Critical Race Theory is not propaganda. It is a scholarly framework that describes how race, class, gender, and sexuality organize American life.”
  • In June, UNC promised the establishment of a DEI advisory board and a series of “climate surveys”.
  • Gillings School of Global Public Health has a dedicated “Inclusive Equity Team” to promote DEI, as also expressed in their message on “Our Commitment to Equity.”
  • Letter posted on Department of Geography homepage in June highlighted the need to “implement anti-racism in our department, discipline, and institution.”
  • As part of the new "Black History Month Research Series," there were workshops on "How to be an anti-racist researcher" and "Conceptualizing anti-racist research."
  • A list of anti-racist initiatives started at UNC at Chapel Hill was released.
  • In February 2022, the "Race and Memory at UNC" discussion explored its racial history and the controversy behind it.
Last updated April 12th, 2023
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