Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity

Supporting Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at UNCA

What’s Happened

In June 2025, UNC Asheville’s Dean of Students, Megan Pugh—appointed in 2022 and instrumental in supporting BIPOC students—was let go following the release of a secretly recorded video by the conservative group Accuracy in Media. In the video, Pugh acknowledged continuing equity efforts at the university (despite official policy changes) and commented, “I love breaking rules,” when questioned about working quietly to support DEI efforts Asheville WatchdogHERE AshevilleThe Blue BannerAxios.

This removal came amidst a broader UNC System shift. In May 2024, the Board of Governors repealed DEI mandates systemwide and introduced a new “institutional neutrality” policy. As a result, 59 DEI-related positions were eliminated, and 132 were reassigned across campuses, including UNCA Axios.

Why This Matters

• Loss of Student Support: DEI offices offered vital resources—scholarships, advocacy, inclusive training—for marginalized communities. Their dissolution strains access and equity Teen Vogue.

• Campus Climate at Risk: Suppressing academic and administrative commitment to inclusion chills discourse, potentially making campus less welcoming to underrepresented students.

• National Context: UNC Asheville's case mirrors growing national backlash—universities face investigations, funding threats, and outright bans on DEI programs Teen Vogue.

Where We Stand

The Student Action Coalition affirms that equity isn’t optional—it’s foundational:

• We stand with colleagues like Megan Pugh in preserving inclusive values and transparent leadership.

• We oppose the dismantling of critical institutional support systems, especially when carried out without consultation or transparency.

• We believe that DEI policies—properly implemented—safeguard fairness, not favoritism.

What You Can Do

• Speak Out: Attend governance and town-hall forums. Demand clear commitments to equity, irrespective of system mandates.

• Amplify Voices: Support petitions and public testimonies that call for the reinstatement of DEI functions and protections.

• Unite & Organize: Faculty, staff, and students must continue building coalitions for inclusive change. Together, we can shape a UNCA that values and supports all its community members.