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 13, 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. 
  • Status: Under legal review.  A judge temporarily blocked parts of the order in February 2025, meaning enforcement is currently paused while the case moves through the courts.
  • Next Steps: The University will need to ensure compliance when legal challenges are resolved and next steps are clear.

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 January 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. 

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 February 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.

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.