The University of North Carolina Continues Its Discriminatory Ways

A federal civil rights complaint has been filed against the University of North Carolina for illegal race-based discrimination in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Do No Harm senior fellow Mark Perry filed the complaint with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights for promoting and offering the Fellowship for Exploring Research in Nutrition (FERN), which “aims to increase the diversity of students” in the field of nutrition. Eligibility criteria for the FERN program is limited to students who are from “Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) populations,” which illegally excludes and discriminates against non-BIPOC students on the basis of their race, color, and/or national origin, which is prohibited by Title VI.

UNC’s participation in this program is in stark contrast to its policy of non-discrimination, which states, “No person, on the basis of protected status [including race, color or national origin], shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under any University program or activity, including with respect to employment terms and conditions.”

FERN is a paid research fellowship hosted by the Global Food Research Program, which is located within the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. UNC began accepting applications earlier this month.

In November, Do No Harm reported that the UNC School of Medicine devotes significant resources toward indoctrinating its medical students in identity politics and ideologies such as anti-racism and the integration of social justice into the curriculum. With the implementation of the FERN program, it is clear that UNC Chapel Hill is committed to continuing these divisive and discriminatory practices.