City of Asheville Reacts to UNC System Diversity Hiring Program Discontinuation
In a shocking move, University of North Carolina at Asheville Chancellor Kimberly Van Noort and Interim Provost Herman Holt have decided to discontinue the university’s diversity hiring program, sparking outrage among students, faculty, and staff in the city of Asheville.
Backlash and Petition
The decision to end the program, which aimed to promote diverse hiring practices and foster a more inclusive campus community, has prompted immediate backlash. In response to the news, a group of faculty members have circulated a petition calling for the reinstatement of the program. The petition highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in education and criticizes the decision to remove initiatives that support these values.
Protests and Demonstrations
UNC Asheville students, faculty, and staff have taken to the streets to protest the discontinuation of the diversity hiring program. Demonstrations have been held on campus and in downtown Asheville, with participants calling for university leadership to reconsider their decision and prioritize diversity and equity.
Impact on the Community
The removal of the diversity hiring program has raised concerns about the future of diversity and inclusion efforts at UNC Asheville and in the city of Asheville as a whole. Many community members fear that without dedicated initiatives to promote diversity, marginalized voices and perspectives will continue to be underrepresented and overlooked.
Local Reaction and Support
As news of the discontinuation spreads throughout Asheville, community members have expressed their solidarity with those affected by the decision. Local organizations and activists have offered their support to the university community and have pledged to stand with them in their fight for diversity and inclusion.
Looking Ahead
As the backlash against the discontinuation of the diversity hiring program grows, Chancellor Van Noort and Provost Holt face mounting pressure to address the concerns of students, faculty, and staff. The future of diversity and inclusion at UNC Asheville hangs in the balance, and the city of Asheville eagerly awaits to see how university leadership will respond to the outcry.
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
