UNC Asheville Dean of Students Megan Pugh has been fired after brazenly admitting on hidden camera that she deliberately ignored statewide bans on DEI initiatives, proudly declaring “I love breaking rules” while describing how the university continues prohibited diversity programs in secret.
Key Takeaways
- Former UNC Asheville Dean Megan Pugh was terminated after being caught on hidden camera admitting to continuing banned DEI initiatives, stating “I love breaking rules.”
- The footage was captured by conservative watchdog organization Accuracy in Media (AIM) as part of their undercover investigation into North Carolina universities.
- The UNC Board of Governors had eliminated all DEI programs across its campuses in May 2024, replacing them with “Equality Within the University of North Carolina.”
- This incident follows a similar case at UNC Charlotte, indicating potential widespread non-compliance with the system-wide DEI prohibitions.
- The controversy has attracted national attention, including comments from U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx and coverage from major media outlets.
Hidden Camera Exposes DEI Rule-Breaking
The controversy erupted when Accuracy in Media (AIM), a conservative watchdog organization, released undercover footage showing Megan Pugh, then-Dean of Students at UNC Asheville, openly discussing how the university continued DEI initiatives despite system-wide prohibitions. In the damning video, when told by the undercover investigator, “I’m so glad that you guys are still doing equity work,” Pugh responded with alarming candor: “We probably still do anyway, but, you know, gotta keep it quiet… But, I love breaking rules.” The exchange continued with the investigator encouraging, “Breaking rules, having fun doing it,” to which Pugh appeared to agree.
“The explosive footage quickly went viral after being posted on YouTube, triggering immediate action from university officials,” stated Brian Hart, UNC Asheville’s spokesperson, issued a statement declaring the university’s commitment to adhering to UNC System policies and state laws. Following an internal review, the university announced Pugh’s termination and pledged to conduct a comprehensive examination of its practices to ensure full compliance with the UNC System’s rules regarding diversity programming.
System-Wide DEI Ban and Policy Changes
This incident highlights the tension surrounding the UNC System’s May 2024 decision to eliminate DEI programs across all its campuses. The Board of Governors voted to replace these initiatives with a new program called “Equality Within the University of North Carolina,” marking a significant shift in the system’s approach to diversity issues. By September 2024, all DEI offices and positions within the UNC System were officially removed or adjusted to comply with the new directive, reflecting a broader conservative push to eliminate what many view as politically-motivated programming in public education.
“The UNC System has made a good faith effort to get rid of DEI, but obviously the word has not reached the ears of UNC Asheville’s administration,” said Virginia Foxx, U.S. Representative.
Pugh’s termination underscores the serious consequences facing administrators who attempt to circumvent these policy changes. During her conversation with the undercover investigator, Pugh not only admitted to continuing DEI work against regulations but also mentioned plans for future implicit bias training and claimed the university administration supported these prohibited initiatives. These admissions directly contradicted the university’s official position and ultimately led to her dismissal.
Growing Pattern of DEI Non-Compliance
Notably, this is not an isolated incident within the UNC System. A similar situation occurred at UNC Charlotte, where administrator Janique Sanders was also dismissed following a hidden camera video suggesting ongoing DEI activities in defiance of system rules. These parallel cases suggest a potentially widespread pattern of resistance to the new policies within the university system, with some administrators apparently willing to risk their careers to maintain DEI programming they believe in, despite clear prohibitions from governing authorities.
“I’m so glad that you guys are still doing equity work,” said the undercover investigator from Accuracy in Media, deliberately drawing out Pugh’s incriminating response.
The AIM investigation has garnered significant media coverage from organizations including Fox News, Daily Wire, The College Fix, and Hot Air, elevating what might have been a local administrative matter into a national conversation about policy compliance and ideological tensions in higher education. AIM has called for further action against administrators who violate the rules, positioning themselves as watchdogs ensuring that public institutions follow democratically established policies rather than pursuing ideological agendas in secret.
Implications for Higher Education Governance
This controversy highlights the growing tensions between institutional autonomy and system-wide governance in public universities. While individual administrators may personally disagree with policy changes regarding DEI initiatives, their professional obligation is to implement the directives established by governing boards and state legislatures. The UNC Asheville case serves as a stark reminder that attempts to circumvent official policies – particularly when captured on video and broadcast publicly – can have severe professional consequences.
“We probably still do anyway, but, you know, gotta keep it quiet[…] But, I love breaking rules,” said Megan Pugh, former Dean of Students at UNC Asheville.
Following the incident, UNC Asheville has announced plans for a thorough review of its practices to ensure alignment with UNC System policies and state laws. The case demonstrates the effectiveness of watchdog journalism in exposing potential policy violations within public institutions and serves as a powerful example of accountability in action. For conservative advocates concerned about the influence of progressive ideologies in education, Pugh’s termination represents a significant victory in ensuring that public universities adhere to democratically established guidelines rather than pursuing unauthorized agendas.
