Undercover footage obtained by Accuracy in Media reveals university administrators at North Carolina A&T State University discussing how they have rebranded their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to circumvent legal restrictions imposed by state and federal authorities. The video, released by Fox News, shows officials using alternative terminology such as ‘competency’ instead of ‘diversity’ to sidestep regulations.
This follows recent changes in state policy aimed at curbing DEI activities, prompting universities to adopt more cautious approaches to avoid legal consequences. In the video, Pascha Miller, assistant director of the Office of Intercultural Engagement, explains that the university has rebranded its DEI initiatives to continue operations without being directly under the DEI office. ‘It shook things up around here, but fortunately for us, this office is not actually under the DEI office at all, so we’re able to just keep going,’ Miller says.
Michael Eccles, the university’s office manager for the Office of Intercultural Engagement, added, ‘The word ‘diversity,’ we had to change saying ‘diversity’ to competency.’ Austin Horne, assistant director of LGBTA programs and services at the Office of Intercultural Engagement, is also seen in the video going a step further, noting that the Board of Governors’ legislation has imposed strict limitations on how universities can present their DEI initiatives. ‘It is very intentionally vague is what, you know, the way I read it. But it’s really leaving it up to you know each university to kind of think about it in their own way and consider how much they want to open themselves up to litigation,’ Horne said.
These developments come amid growing efforts by state and federal officials to regulate DEI initiatives, with some universities choosing to rebrand their efforts instead of completely eliminating them. This trend has been noted in other universities as well, such as UNC Asheville, which severed ties with its dean of students after a video revealed her admitting to continuing DEI activities in secret. Fox News Digital has reported extensively on these instances, highlighting the challenges faced by universities trying to balance compliance with their mission to promote diversity and inclusion.
The undercover journalist then pressed Horne, asking if the changes were made to avoid legal scrutiny. Horne responded, ‘Yes, it’s very much, it’s so vague.’ In another clip, Eccles says, ‘It’s been a little bit of a challenge, but we’re still pushing through and trying to make sure people get what they need.’ Miller concludes the video by saying, ‘We don’t use DEI anymore, it’s kind of hard not to use the word ‘diversity,’’ then laughs along with the journalist and says, ‘We try not to, you know, just to be safe.’
Adam Guillette, president of Accuracy in Media, commented on the situation, stating, ‘North Carolina’s universities have been captured by lawbreaking radicals, and they require fundamental reform.’ He called for legislative action to address the issue, suggesting that any government employee found circumventing laws should lose their positions. He also advocated for a Kansas-style DEI ban with clear consequences for non-compliance.