The Department of Justice and the Department of Education collectively closed 19 investigations into the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over allegations of antisemitism and race-based discrimination.
The move is part of a settlement agreement between the federal government and the public university. The deal allows the school to remain eligible for future federal funding in exchange for agreeing to implement several policies that address the government’s discrimination concerns.
The Trump administration dictated that UNC establish a Title VI coordinator to combat antisemitism on campus and ensure that Jewish and Israeli students are protected under the higher education institution’s nondiscrimination policy. If any student group is found to have engaged in antisemitic conduct, UNC will discipline and sanction them.
The university will also enforce a no-mask policy that prohibits people from wearing facial coverings on campus. The effort is meant to address anti-Israel protesters who often wear masks to conceal their identities. When approached by university officials or police, masked individuals must present their identification.
Additionally, UNC was required to adopt and maintain a color-blind admissions process that doesn’t discriminate on the basis of race, as well as race-blind policies regarding student benefits, scholarships, financial aid, and programming.
As part of the deal, UNC admitted to no wrongdoing and paid no money to the Trump administration. In exchange, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights closed 18 active investigations into the university. Moreover, the DOJ Civil Rights Division concluded its 18-month compliance review of UNC that was opened in April 2025.
Within the first 30 days of the agreement, UNC will appoint a merit and civil rights administrator to implement the agreed terms. UNC is required to send any on-campus complaints related to antisemitism and racial discrimination to the civil rights components of both federal departments on a quarterly basis.
The settlement, signed by all parties on Monday, expires at the end of December 2028.
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“The Civil Rights Division commends UNC for its cooperation in meeting its obligations under federal law without the need for litigation,” Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon wrote in a statement. “We hope other institutions will take note and do the same.”
UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts said the resolution “reinforces our commitment to the fair and equal treatment of everyone” at the North Carolina university.