Group releases undercover conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion policy with UNCW employees

A recent release of an undercover conversation has shed light on the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). The conversation, secretly recorded by Accuracy in Media, a nonprofit conservative watchdog organization, features Asher Persin, the coordinator of the Mohin-Scholz LGBTQIA Resource Center, and Ashlee Fleming, the coordinator of the Upperman African American Cultural Center.

This video, recorded on September 19, 2024, captures Persin and Fleming discussing the changes and implications of the new DEI policies at UNCW. In response to the policy changes initiated by the UNC Board of Governors in May 2024, UNCW announced the reassignment of staff working in cultural centers like the Mohin-Scholz LGBTQIA Center and the Upperman Center. The video highlights Persin and Fleming acknowledging the shifts in their staffing and organizational structure to comply with the new policy directives.

During the conversation, Persin mentions that her team, which previously consisted of fifteen members, had been reduced to four through reassignments rather than terminations. Fleming also references how some universities, such as UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte, and North Carolina State University, eliminated positions, whereas UNCW and East Carolina University opted to retain staff through reallocation.

UNCG released a statement in response to the video, expressing a commitment to investigating the matter further and addressing any regulatory noncompliance by university personnel promptly. The university emphasized its dedication to upholding the integrity of its DEI policies and ensuring accountability among its employees.

Accuracy in Media’s previous releases of similar undercover videos have had far-reaching consequences, leading to the dismissal of employees at various universities in North Carolina. For instance, Megan Pugh, the former Dean of Students at the University of North Carolina Asheville, lost her job following the release of a video featuring her interactions with the group. Another individual, Karen Price, a former administrator at Western Carolina University, also faced repercussions after being featured in a video by the organization.

The video recording at UNCW serves as a critical piece of evidence in assessing the university’s adherence to DEI policies and the impact of these policies on its staff and organizational structure. By reviewing the content of the conversation between Persin and Fleming, stakeholders can gain insights into the challenges and adjustments faced by universities in implementing and complying with evolving DEI standards.