The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has agreed to a voluntary settlement with federal officials that mandates color-blind admissions policies and new measures to address anti-Semitism, resolving multiple federal investigations without admitting liability or paying penalties. The agreement, announced October 19, 2025, closes 18 active Education Department investigations and a separate Justice Department compliance review opened in April 2025, while maintaining UNC’s eligibility for federal funding.
The settlement, effective through December 31, 2028, requires UNC to adopt race-neutral admissions practices, including prohibiting the use of race in admissions decisions, scholarships, and programming. The university must also discipline student groups for anti-Semitic conduct and appoint a Merit and Civil Rights Administrator to oversee compliance. Quarterly reports on discrimination complaints will be submitted to federal agencies.
UNC Chancellor Lee H. Roberts stated in a release that the agreement reinforces the university’s commitment to equal treatment. The settlement follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which restricted race-conscious admissions policies.
Key Requirements of the Settlement
- Admissions: UNC must refrain from using race in admissions decisions, scholarships, or financial aid, including pipeline programs that consider protected characteristics.
- Anti-Semitism Measures: The university will sanction student groups for discriminatory conduct and appoint a Title VI Coordinator to address complaints.
- Oversight: A designated administrator will serve as the primary contact for federal agencies and ensure compliance with reporting obligations.
- Federal Funding: UNC remains eligible for federal funds despite no monetary penalties or admissions of wrongdoing.
The agreement resolves longstanding federal scrutiny over alleged discrimination at UNC, though it does not require the university to acknowledge any violations of federal law. The settlement’s duration is set to December 31, 2028, with ongoing federal oversight through quarterly complaint reporting.