Comments from Chancellor Dubois regarding House Bill 2

To members of the UNC Charlotte community:

We have received many questions about the meaning of House Bill 2, passed last week by the General Assembly. I’ve withheld public comment as we await formal guidance from the General Administration as to what the legislation means and what it doesn’t. We hope to have that shortly. In the meantime, if you haven’t seen it, President Spellings issued the following statement last week shortly after passage of the legislation.

The Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act (HB 2), which was passed into law by the N.C. General Assembly and signed by Gov. McCrory, is applicable to all public agencies in North Carolina. We are now carefully assessing the scope, reach and potential impact of the new law on the UNC system, in consultation with legal counsel. As underscored in the UNC system’s statement of Equality and Opportunity in the University, we remain fully committed to making sure that our campuses are welcoming and inclusive places for students, faculty and staff of all backgrounds, beliefs, and identities to live and learn and work alongside one another.

She also issued this statement today:

Yesterday, a federal lawsuit was filed by three members of the UNC community and others against the Governor, the Attorney General, and the University of North Carolina, seeking to stop implementation of the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act (HB 2).
I want to underscore UNC’s long-held commitment to making sure that the University of North Carolina and its campuses are welcoming, inclusive and safe places for students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds, beliefs and identities. I know that many across the UNC system are concerned about the implications of HB2. This law was passed last week, and since then we’ve been working to consider its full impact on the University community and UNC system operations.
We stand ready to work with the Governor and General Assembly as the lawsuit progresses. As we continue to assess the law’s scope, reach, and potential impact, I reiterate our commitment to providing a safe, secure and inclusive environment for the entire University community.

I concur with President Spellings.

Philip L. Dubois

Chancellor