News Summary
Karen Price, the former director of institutional assessment at Western Carolina University, was dismissed following the release of a secretly recorded video discussing DEI initiatives. The video raised concerns about WCU’s compliance with state regulations. Price’s comments have sparked discussions on the shifting landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in North Carolina’s higher education institutions. This event illustrates the tension between educational values and political pressures surrounding DEI issues.
Culowhee, North Carolina – Karen Price, the former director of institutional assessment at Western Carolina University (WCU), has been dismissed from her position as of mid-April 2024, following the release of a secretly recorded video on June 10, 2024. The video captured Price discussing the university’s initiatives on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), raising concerns about WCU’s adherence to state regulations on these programs.
The video was recorded by an undercover investigator from Accuracy in Media (AIM), a conservative watchdog organization, and subsequently posted on the group’s YouTube channel. In the footage, Price highlights efforts by WCU to embed DEI principles throughout the university, asserting that such responsibilities should not be confined to a specific office or individual but should instead be integrated across the institution.
Following the release of the video, Price’s professional profile was removed from the WCU website, which led to users encountering an error page when attempting to search for her name. WCU’s communication manager confirmed her departure while indicating that the university is responding to increasing political pressures regarding DEI initiatives.
In May 2024, the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors voted to eliminate all DEI programs from the UNC system, implementing a new policy titled “Equality Within the University of North Carolina.” By September 2024, all DEI offices and associated positions across the UNC system were either dismantled or restructured, demonstrating a significant shift in policy reflecting the board’s decision.
Price is not the only university administrator facing consequences after discussing DEI themes in recordings released by AIM. Previous incidences include the dismissal of a former Dean of Students at UNC Asheville and an Assistant Director at UNC Charlotte. The trend shows a pervasive scrutiny of language and strategy related to DEI within higher education institutions in North Carolina.
In the video, Price appears to suggest that WCU is continuing with its DEI initiatives while strategizing methods to embed them in various university operations, aimed at avoiding conflict with the recent board regulations. She notes that the fundamental objectives of their DEI work remain intact, albeit with altered approaches to comply with political requirements guiding university policies.
Critics of the DEI ban argue that such measures are politically motivated and undermines the creation of inclusive environments for students. Proponents of AIM are calling for disciplinary actions against WCU, asserting that the university is attempting to circumvent state policies on DEI. This incident has reignited scrutiny surrounding WCU and the entire UNC system regarding compliance with the recent DEI restrictions as well as the implications of Price’s comments.
The release of this footage, along with the context of ongoing shifts in policy toward DEI at public universities, signifies a challenging environment where discussions about diversity, equity, and inclusion are increasingly contentious. As WCU navigates these political landscapes, attention will remain focused on how its practices evolve and how they align—or clash—with evolving regulations at the state level.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
WCU Director Terminated Over DEI Remarks
Additional Resources
- News Observer
- Wikipedia: Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- WLOS
- Google Search: Western Carolina University DEI
- Smoky Mountain News
- Google Scholar: Diversity Equity Inclusion Higher Education
