UNC system response to U.S. Department of Justice regarding federal nondiscrimination law and HB2

UNC President Margaret Spellings has offered the following comment on her response to the U.S. Department of Justice regarding federal nondiscrimination law and the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act (HB2), as well as legal action initiated today by the department:

“Earlier this afternoon, the University responded to the U.S. Department of Justice’s letter dated May 4 by again underscoring the UNC system’s commitment to full compliance with federal non-discrimination laws and inviting greater dialogue with the Department to resolve concerns it has expressed about HB2.

Our first responsibility as a University is to serve our students, faculty, and staff and provide a welcoming and safe place for all. The University takes its obligation to comply with federal non-discrimination laws very seriously. We also must adhere to laws duly enacted by the State’s General Assembly and Governor, however. HB2 remains the law of the State, and the University has no independent power to change that legal reality.

In these circumstances, the University is truly caught in the middle.

As the Attorney General alluded to in her press conference today, we have been in regular contact with the Department about ways to constructively resolve its inquiry into HB2 and the University’s compliance with federal civil rights laws. Even though the Justice Department has chosen to file an action in federal court, we intend to continue to engage in further discussions with them on this issue.

We plan to review the Department’s complaint, and in consultation with our Board of Governors and legal counsel tomorrow (Tuesday, May 10) during a special meeting of the Board, to determine next steps.

We will continue to keep constituencies apprised as new information becomes available.”