North Carolina Academic Celebrates Landmark Shift Away from Diversity Initiatives

Professor Stephen Porter from North Carolina State University is reveling in a substantial change at his institution, where the administration has officially removed diversity, equity, and inclusion policies from its strategic vision. This shift follows his formal complaint regarding these initiatives.

Porter, who has been imparting knowledge on applied statistics and data analysis to graduate students since 2011, identifies as a populist Republican. Over the last decade, he has vocally opposed DEI policies at NC State, marking February as the month he achieved a significant victory.

In a blog post, he shared that on February 8 he submitted a complaint to the UNC Board of Governors, citing four infractions of the University of North Carolina System’s policies concerning institutional neutrality and prohibitions against compelled speech. He reported that the university has conceded on three of the four violations, albeit without much public acknowledgment.

Porter expressed his surprise and delight in an interview with Fox News Digital, stating that he became aware of the changes only two weeks after he submitted his complaint.

He noted, “I wasn’t sure exactly what was going to happen. So I was really, really happy with the final outcome.” His advocacy has appeared to resonate with decision-makers at the university.

On February 25, NC State announced adjustments to its strategic plan and vision statements, aligning them with the UNC System’s policies on equality.

The underlying complaint, filed on February 8, alleged that NC State failed to uphold the UNC System’s standards regarding institutional neutrality and crucially compromised free speech. This directly relates to the university’s strategic planning documents.

Changes in Policy Following State Mandate

In 2023, the UNC Board of Governors made a pivotal decision to eliminate DEI statements and restrict compelled speech in hiring, promotion, and tenure procedures across its 16 public universities.

Additionally, the UNC Board repealed its previous diversity and inclusion policy, introducing an equality policy. This new framework mandates institutions comply with laws against discrimination, uphold institutional neutrality, and refrain from mandating speech or promoting political ideologies during training sessions.

Porter argued that these policy updates constitute a significant victory for intellectual freedom across public universities in North Carolina.

Ongoing Concerns Despite Progress

However, Porter is cautious, suggesting that NC State merely transferred its DEI measures underground rather than completely dismantling them. He pointed out that references to DEI still exist in the university’s strategic plan and in various departmental frameworks.

Porter remarked, “To me, it was really insulting when they just renamed the office. It’s like, really? That’s how you’re complying with this?” He advocates for a complete overhaul of university offices, calling for hires aligned with the principle of equality of opportunity.

The complaint highlighted numerous alleged violations, including over 4,750 mentions of diversity, equity, and inclusion on administrative websites. Moreover, text on the university’s Pride Center website mandated that students and faculty use the preferred pronouns of students. Following the complaint, NC State removed this language from its site.

Surprising Scrubbing of Content

After submitting his complaint, Porter was intrigued by the university’s apparent actions to remove some of the contested content from its web pages. He articulated his astonishment upon receiving confirmation about changes to the strategic plan, regarded as the most vital aspect of his advocacy.

“I was astonished I won on the strategic plan. That was the one I really cared about. I thought, boy if anything can happen, if we can get this stuff out of the strategic plans, that is just a huge, huge victory,” he stated.

In response to inquiries, NC State directed Fox News Digital to its February announcement outlining the policy adjustments. The UNC Board of Governors did not provide any comments on the matter.

Legal Battles and Broader Context

Porter’s recent achievements followed a setback in 2021 when he lost a federal civil rights lawsuit against NC State. In that case, he accused the university of retaliating against him for his outspoken criticism of DEI policies and social justice initiatives.

The announcement about the strategic changes came amidst a broader directive issued to universities in North Carolina requiring the removal of any mandatory DEI-related course credits, aligning with previous federal executive orders aimed at curbing DEI influence in higher education.

Porter expressed appreciation for the actions taken by the Trump administration regarding DEI in academia. He stated, “I wake up every day eager to read the news. It’s been absolutely delightful. A fantasy come true.” His elation reflects a broader sentiment among those advocating for more traditional views on education policies.

A Shift in the Narrative

The transformations at NC State University signify a notable pivot away from contemporary diversity initiatives, echoing a growing trend in American higher education. As Porter continues to advocate for changes aligned with his beliefs, the university landscape in North Carolina may be entering a new phase.

This episode serves as a reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. As universities reassess their policies, the voices of educators like Porter may play a critical role in shaping conversations about institutional priorities in the years to come.