UNC Asheville’s Dean of Students was terminated after proudly declaring “I love breaking rules” while admitting to secretly continuing banned Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) activities—a startling confession captured on hidden camera by conservative watchdog Accuracy in Media.
Key Takeaways
- Megan Pugh, UNC Asheville’s Dean of Students, was fired after being caught on hidden camera admitting to secretly continuing DEI initiatives against university system policy.
- The recording was part of an investigation by conservative watchdog organization Accuracy in Media, whose undercover journalists posed as DEI sympathizers.
- The UNC Board of Governors had voted in May 2024 to eliminate DEI programs across all campuses, replacing them with an “Equality Within the University of North Carolina” framework.
- This incident follows a similar case at UNC Charlotte, suggesting a pattern of university administrators potentially defying system-wide DEI restrictions.
- U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx criticized UNC Asheville’s administration, suggesting the university system’s efforts to eliminate DEI practices have not been fully implemented.
Hidden Camera Exposes DEI Defiance
Megan Pugh’s dismissal from UNC Asheville came after damning footage showed her boasting about continuing prohibited DEI work despite clear directives from the UNC System. In the undercover video, when told by the 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 revealed a troubling disregard for official policy among university leadership tasked with implementing system-wide directives intended to reshape campus culture and align with state priorities.
The investigation by Accuracy in Media, a nonprofit organization focused on exposing institutional corruption through undercover journalism, delivered precisely the evidence conservative lawmakers and activists have long suspected—that progressive administrators might be circumventing policies designed to curb ideological programming on campuses. The video triggered immediate action from university leadership, who quickly distanced themselves from Pugh’s comments and terminated her employment following an internal review, demonstrating the serious consequences of openly defying system governance.
UNC System’s DEI Overhaul
This controversy comes in the wake of significant policy changes across North Carolina’s higher education landscape. In May 2024, the UNC Board of Governors took decisive action to eliminate DEI programs across all system campuses, replacing them with a framework called “Equality Within the University of North Carolina.” This shift represented a fundamental change in approach, moving away from identity-based programming toward policies emphasizing equal treatment for all students. By September 2024, all DEI offices and positions within the UNC System were officially eliminated or restructured, signaling a complete administrative transformation.
“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, highlighting the disconnect between system-level policy decisions and on-the-ground implementation at individual campuses.
UNC Asheville’s official response came through spokesperson Brian Hart, who affirmed the university’s commitment to following UNC System policies and state laws. Following Pugh’s termination, the university announced plans for a comprehensive review to ensure all campus practices align with system directives, tackling head-on the concerns raised by the incident that administrators might be paying mere lip service to compliance while continuing prohibited activities behind closed doors.
Pattern of Resistance to DEI Reforms
This incident at UNC Asheville mirrors a similar situation at UNC Charlotte, where administrator Janique Sanders was also dismissed after being caught on hidden camera suggesting continued DEI activities despite the system-wide ban. These parallel cases suggest a pattern of resistance among some university administrators to fully implement the Board of Governors’ directives. The repeat occurrences raise serious questions about institutional accountability and the challenges of implementing system-wide cultural changes when faced with entrenched ideological commitments among university staff who may view themselves as defenders of progressive values regardless of official policy.
“I’m so glad that you guys are still doing equity work,” said the undercover Accuracy in Media investigator, deliberately baiting Pugh into revealing her true stance on continuing prohibited DEI activities.
The incidents have sparked significant media coverage, with major outlets including Fox News, Daily Wire, and The College Fix reporting on the controversy. The public reaction demonstrates the intense national interest in how universities are navigating contentious cultural issues. For conservatives who have long criticized DEI programs as divisive and ideologically motivated, these exposés validate concerns that administrative resistance to policy changes might undermine efforts to reform higher education and ensure viewpoint diversity on college campuses.
