Policy Against Compelled Speech

In 2023, the UNC Board of Governors passed revisions to the UNC Policy 300.5.1, Political Activities of Employees (“Policy”), which applies to exempt employees and also protects applicants for employment or admission. The UNC System Division of Legal Affairs posted Guidance Regarding Implementation of Policy Against Compelled Speech on March 17, 2023.  Also in 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly passed new N.C. Gen. Stat. § 126-14.5 and § 126-14.6, which applies to non-exempt employees, Clinical Support Staff of the Brody School of Medicine, Dental Clinical Operations Support Staff, and employed physicians and dentists.

The effect of the Policy and laws is to protect employees and applicants from being solicited or required to ascribe to or opine about beliefs, affiliations, ideas, or principles regarding matters of contemporary political debate or social action as a condition of admission, employment, or professional advancement, including faculty promotion and tenure processes.

For more information on this topic, please see these Frequently Asked Questions.