The University of North Carolina’s former chief diversity officer spoke Thursday for the first time since the UNC System changed its diversity policy.
Leah Cox now has the title of vice provost at UNC after the UNC System Board of Governors repealed and replaced diversity, equity and inclusion [DEI] with a new equality policy.
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All of the DEI funding at the 17 UNC institutions will go toward what the universities call student success initiatives.
Cox said the initiatives ensure every student has a welcoming and an inclusive experience.
"You are able to participate, engage and be successful, and feel like you can belong here,” Cox said. “Not that you have to sit on the side and nobody knows you, but that you can engage in anything and everything that this campus offers, and feel like this is the place for you, and that we want you to be here."
UNC System President Peter Hans told WRAL News that the focus of the change has been to get back to basics.
In total across all campuses in the UNC System, 59 jobs were eliminated and 131 positions were reassigned. The UNC system said it saved $17 million.
"By reinvesting that $17 million for all students, regardless of background or belief, is the outcome, I believe, the board hoped to achieve,” Hans said.
UNC Board of Governor’s Chair Wendy Murphy echoed Hans’ sentiments.
"I think the focus should be the redirecting of the funds for student success,” Murphy said. “We all know that if a student is successful, they're [going to] graduate in four years, and they're [going to] have less debt. and we're [going to] offer that to all students on all campuses."