The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has agreed to sweeping policy changes under a settlement with the Trump administration addressing federal concerns over racial discrimination and antisemitism. The deal requires race-neutral admissions, mandatory antisemitism training, and stronger enforcement against discriminatory conduct.

Announced Monday by the Justice Department and the Education Department, the voluntary agreement closes 18 active Education Department investigations, and a separate Justice Department Civil Rights Division compliance review opened April 18, 2025. UNC denies liability under the settlement and will remain eligible for federal funding.

Kimberly Richey, the Education Department’s assistant secretary for civil rights, said the agreement requires applicants to be judged on merit rather than race and aims to ensure Jewish students can study without facing antisemitic discrimination.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said higher education institutions cannot tolerate antisemitism or favor some racial groups over others.

The agreement requires UNC to discipline student organizations that engage in antisemitic discriminatory conduct or violate university policies. A new Title VI coordinator, working with student affairs officials, will be empowered to sanction groups by withdrawing funding, suspending them, or revoking their official recognition.

UNC must also implement mandatory antisemitism training for students, faculty, and staff, ensure its nondiscrimination policy protects Jewish and Israeli students, and provide additional law enforcement resources when needed. The university must enforce a ban on masks used to conceal a person’s identity, with exceptions for religious and medical needs.

The settlement also imposes substantial restrictions on admissions practices. UNC must use a race-neutral system that does not consider race, racial data, or other characteristics used as substitutes for race. Applicants who decline to disclose their race cannot be penalized, and the university cannot partner with outside “bridge” or “pipeline” recruiting programs that consider race, color, or national origin. Scholarships must also be awarded without regard to race.

To ensure compliance, Chancellor Lee H. Roberts must designate an administrator within 30 days to oversee implementation. University officials must submit quarterly reports on complaints involving antisemitism and racial discrimination, with the required certifications made under penalty of perjury.

The agreement remains in effect through Dec. 31, 2028, giving federal authorities a defined period to monitor the university’s compliance with the new requirements.

Roberts said the settlement reinforces UNC’s commitment to fair and equal treatment. He also noted that universities have faced increased public scrutiny across multiple issues under successive presidential administrations, adding that the agreement allows UNC to resolve the matter while protecting its mission and the civil rights of its community.