Key Legal and Policy Changes: What You Need to Know

As a public university within the UNC System, the University is required to comply with all applicable laws and policies. UNC Charlotte also remains committed to ensuring a welcoming and supportive environment for all members of our community. 

We will continue to update this page as new developments emerge.

Last updated: March 31, 2025

Federal Executive Orders and Guidance

Executive Order 14173: “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity”

  • What it is: The order, signed in January 2025, directs the removal of all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and requirements from federally funded organizations, including universities that receive federal aid. The Trump administration has stated that the order is meant to ensure compliance with existing federal civil rights laws.
  • Status: Under legal review.  A federal judge temporarily blocked parts of the executive order in February 2025. On March 14, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit lifted that injunction, allowing the order to take effect while litigation continues. The court did not rule on the order’s legality but found that the federal government’s argument—that it is enforcing existing law—was enough to justify allowing the order to move forward for now. 
  • Next Steps: UNC Charlotte complies with all federal civil rights laws. However, federal agencies may interpret those laws in new ways and issue updated guidance that could impact grant funding and institutional policies. The University will comply with any such guidance as it is issued, while also monitoring anticipated legal challenges to these interpretations.

Executive Order 14151: “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing”

  • What it is: The order, signed in January 2025, is aimed specifically at eliminating DEI-focused positions and offices within federal agencies. This directive has led some agencies to pause or withdraw funding from DEI-focused research projects.
  • Status: A judge temporarily blocked parts of the order while litigation continues. 
  • Next Steps: Funding for a number of research grants has been paused or stopped entirely. More information about these changes is available on the Division of Research website. 

Federal Policy Change: Department of Homeland Security’s “Directives Expanding Law Enforcement and Ending the Abuse of Humanitarian Parole”

  • What it is: On Jan. 20, 2025, Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued two significant directives:
    • Rescission of “Sensitive Locations” Enforcement Guidelines: This directive rescinds previous guidelines that limited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations in or near “sensitive” areas such as schools, churches, and hospitals.
    • Revision of Humanitarian Parole Practices: This directive ends the broader use of humanitarian parole, which had allowed streamlined entry for certain groups, and reinstates a case-by-case assessment approach.
  • Status: Currently in effect.​
  • Next Steps: The University issued guidance in January about what members of the campus community should do if they are approached by someone identifying themselves as an immigration enforcement agent. 

Executive Order 14188: Additional Measures To Combat Anti-Semitism

  • What it is: The order, signed on Jan. 29, 2025, directs each executive department or agency to submit a report that identifies its authority and actions to combat anti-Semitism. Agencies are asked to include information on administrative complaints, court cases, and Title VI matters related to anti-Semitism that have been pending or resolved since October 7, 2023. The order also instructs agencies to help institutions of higher education understand the legal grounds for inadmissibility under 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3), which addresses national security concerns.
  • Status: Currently in effect.
  • Next steps: While the order identified reporting requirements and upcoming timelines for several executive agencies, the order did not include monitoring or reporting mandates directly to institutions of higher education. The University will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Federal Guidance: Department of Education’s Letter Regarding Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (often cited as “Dear Colleague Letter,” or “DCL”)

  • What it is: The Feb. 14, 2025 letter from the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights states that, based on the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, colleges and universities may not treat individuals differently based on race, color, or national origin in admissions, hiring, financial aid, or other institutional decisions. It also stated that educational institutions must not separate or segregate students based on race, color, or national origin for campus events and programs. The Department of Education warned that non-compliance could result in investigations and potential loss of federal funding. On February 28, 2025, the Department of Education issued a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document intended to anticipate and answer questions raised in response to the letter.
  • Status: This letter and the accompanying FAQ are guidance documents regarding existing laws, and are not themselves laws or regulations. However, it outlines the Department of Education’s current interpretation of Title VI and signals an intent to increase enforcement. The extent to which the interpretation will be legally upheld remains uncertain.
  • Next Steps: No additional steps needed. The University does not factor race, color, or national origin into admission or hiring decisions, or base any educational decision on those or other protected statuses.

NIH Policy Change: “Standardization of Indirect Cost Rates”

  • What it is: In February 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) implemented a policy capping indirect cost reimbursements at 15% for all new and existing research grants. 
  • Status: Under legal review.  A judge issued a temporary restraining order, blocking the implementation of the policy change in certain states, including North Carolina, while litigation continues. ​
  • Next Steps: If enforced, the policy would significantly reduce the reimbursements the University receives for federally funded research, affecting funding available for research infrastructure and support services.

Executive Order: Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States and Communities

  • What it is: On March 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order: Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities, directing the secretary of education to begin the process of closing the Department of Education and returning authority to the states, while maintaining uninterrupted delivery of essential services, including federal student loans and Pell Grants.
  • Status: The executive order initiates the process of closing the Department of Education; however, since the department was established by an act of Congress in 1979, its permanent closure will require congressional approval.
  • Next Steps: The Department of Education is directed to begin a phased reduction in its operations and to reallocate responsibilities to state governments and, where applicable, other federal agencies. Because implementation is subject to existing law, congressional approval and available appropriations, the full impact of this executive order on higher education remains uncertain. The University will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.

North Carolina State Laws

Institutional Neutrality Law 

  • What it is: Enacted in July 2023, this law requires all public universities in North Carolina to maintain institutional neutrality on “political controversies of the day.”
  • Status: This law is in effect. 
  • Next Steps: While this law is not directly related to DEI, it does prohibit the University from issuing statements or otherwise taking official positions on political controversies. However, this law does not restrict the speech rights of individual faculty, staff, or students. More information is available on Inside UNC Charlotte. 

UNC System Policies and Directives

Equality Policy

  • What it is: The May 2024 policy, “Equality Within the University of North Carolina,” replaces the former diversity and inclusion policy. 
  • Status: This policy is in effect. 
  • Next Steps: The University must comply with institutional neutrality, refrain from compelling others’ speech and refrain from promoting political or social concepts through training or required beliefs. More information is available on the Legal Affairs website. 

Suspension of DEI-Related Course Requirements 

  • What it is: In response to Executive Order 14173, in February 2025,  the UNC System directed all institutions to suspend any general education or degree-specific mandatory DEI course requirements.
  • Status: This directive is in effect.
  • Next Steps: The University assessed its general education course requirements to ensure they complied with the directive. Academic Affairs is currently examining degree-specific mandatory DEI course requirements. No student’s graduation will be delayed because of this requirement. More information is available on the Academic Affairs website.