WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The University of North Carolina Wilmington announced on Aug. 8 that it is closing the UNCW Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.

The closure of the office is because of changes passed by the UNC Board of Governors in May of 2024. The policy changes also will result in the elimination of the Chief Diversity Officer and the shifting of the cultural and identity centers to Student Affairs.

The Upperman African American Cultural Center, Centro Hispano, Mohin-Scholz LGBTQIA Resource Center, and the Asian Heritage Cultural Center will remain in their current spaces as part of Student Affairs, but there will be some changes to staffing and programming to comply with the UNC Board of Governors decision.

On Monday, August 12, a spokesperson with the UNCW confirmed 13 employees within the OIDI were reassigned; three staff members within the Upperman African American Cultural Center, two staff members within Centro Hispano, and one staff member within the Mohin-Scholz LGBTQIA Resource Center.

The university confirmed to WECT that there were no layoffs.

“Careful and deliberate thought was given to the impact on students, staff, programs and services. Three principles guided our decisions: (1) Comply with the policy’s requirements. (2) Support students’ needs for continued success. (3) Take care of our permanent staff to the best of our ability. Reassignment options were evaluated to avoid a reduction in force (RIF) of affected, permanent employees,” a UNCW announcement on behalf of Chancellor Aswani K. Volety states.

Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Donyell Roseboro will stay in the faculty and return to the Watson College of Education.

“She graciously agreed to let me share this information about her future, but the university must keep information about other affected employees confidential until details are finalized. They were offered employment opportunities in Academic Affairs or Student Affairs. Please join me in thanking Dr. Roseboro and the OIDI team for their dedication to our students and service to the university,” the announcement continues.

“I know this news may be difficult for some Seahawks to accept and absorb. Change is hard, and it will take time to phase in and fully implement our new operations. It is not possible to prepare a message about such a complex topic that addresses every question that may occur within a community of more than 20,000 students, faculty and staff. For specific concerns, please contact equalitypolicy@uncw.edu. There is one thing about UNCW that will not change, though, and that is our ongoing commitment to respect, understanding, belonging and support for every member of the Seahawk community. This is an important part of our mission as a public institution, and UNCW will continue to provide an outstanding educational experience for Seahawks from all walks of life,” the announcement states.

Former UNCW student Jarrell McQueen said centers like the Upperman African American Cultural Center, Centro Hispano, and Asian Heritage Center are safe spaces for students.

“It meant a lot of the difference when you saw these individuals and people who were clocking in with purpose, and you felt that the moment you walked in,” he said.

“Today, the offices that were under the umbrella of DEI were closed at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington by the chancellor. This closure comes just weeks before students who are in need of guidance and assistance navigating the world of higher education arrive. Some might have opted to attend not only because of their major but because of the existence of DEI programs such as the Upperman African American Cultural Center, Centro Hispano, and the LGBTQIA Resource Center,” President Maxwell of the North Carolina NAACP State Conference said in a statement.

“This act against students reeks of those who wish to undermine those who do not look or act like them. What message does this give to the community? You leave one staff member per center. This is unacceptable. Other schools lost DEI money and found ways to maintain their cultural centers through Student Affairs. During this time in our history, this is when we need to show that diversity and equity are of the utmost importance to our community,” President Montgomery of the local New Hanover County Branch of the NAACP stated.

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