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UNC Asheville Dean of Students Megan Pugh was fired after being caught on hidden camera boasting about secretly continuing banned DEI initiatives, declaring “I love breaking rules” to an undercover conservative journalist.
Key Takeaways
- Megan Pugh, UNC Asheville’s former Dean of Students, was terminated after a secretly recorded video showed her admitting to continuing DEI work despite university-wide bans.
- The sting operation was conducted by Accuracy in Media, a conservative watchdog organization, as part of their broader investigation into non-compliance with DEI bans across North Carolina universities.
- Pugh explicitly stated “I love breaking rules” when discussing how the university continues equity work despite the UNC System’s official elimination of DEI programs in May 2024.
- Following media coverage and political attention, including comments from U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx, UNC Asheville announced Pugh’s dismissal and promised a comprehensive review of compliance procedures.
- This incident follows a similar case at UNC Charlotte, highlighting ongoing tensions between institutional DEI advocates and system-wide policies.
Hidden Camera Exposes Administrator’s Defiance
Megan Pugh’s career at UNC Asheville came to an abrupt end after undercover journalists from Accuracy in Media captured her openly discussing how she circumvents the university system’s ban on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. In the damning video, Pugh can be heard responding to praise about continuing equity work by stating, “We probably still do anyway, but, you know, gotta keep it quiet, but, I love breaking rules,” said Megan Pugh in the recorded conversation. The footage quickly gained traction across conservative media outlets, becoming a flashpoint in the ongoing national debate about DEI initiatives in higher education.
The sting operation was part of a broader investigation by Accuracy in Media (AIM), a nonprofit organization focused on exposing what they consider policy failures through undercover journalism. Their investigation revealed that despite the UNC Board of Governors’ May 2024 vote to eliminate DEI programs across all system campuses, replacing them with “Equality Within the University of North Carolina,” some administrators appeared to be deliberately sidestepping these mandates while publicly claiming compliance.
Swift University Response Amid Growing Scrutiny
Following the public release of the video and ensuing media coverage, UNC Asheville quickly distanced itself from Pugh’s comments. Brian Hart, a university spokesperson, emphasized that the institution is fully committed to adhering to UNC System policies and state laws. After a review of the situation, university officials announced Pugh’s dismissal and pledged to conduct a comprehensive examination of their procedures to ensure strict compliance with all relevant regulations and policies.
“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.
The incident gained significant attention from major news outlets, including Fox News and The Daily Wire, amplifying scrutiny of how universities implement system-wide directives. UNC Asheville officials were quick to clarify that Pugh’s remarks did not reflect the university’s actual practices, emphasizing their commitment to full transparency and compliance with all UNC System Board of Governors’ policies.
Pattern of Resistance to DEI Reforms
This was not an isolated incident within the UNC System. A similar situation unfolded at UNC Charlotte, where administrator Janique Sanders was also dismissed after being caught on hidden camera suggesting ongoing DEI activities despite the system-wide ban. Both cases highlight what appears to be a pattern of resistance among some university administrators to the substantial DEI reforms implemented across North Carolina’s public higher education institutions.
“I’m so glad that you guys are still doing equity work,” said the cameraperson in the undercover video, to which Pugh responded affirmatively before boasting about rule-breaking.
By September 2024, all DEI offices and positions within the UNC System were officially removed or adjusted in accordance with the Board of Governors’ directive. However, these incidents suggest that while structural changes were implemented, the ideological commitment to DEI principles remains entrenched among some university personnel. Accuracy in Media has called for further action against administrators who violate these rules, arguing that mere policy changes are insufficient if staff members are actively working to undermine them.
Broader Implications for Higher Education
This controversy reflects the larger national conversation about the role of DEI initiatives in academic institutions under President Trump’s administration. Conservative watchdog groups like Accuracy in Media argue that their investigations serve the public interest by exposing what they see as ideological activism masquerading as education. They encourage public involvement in holding officials accountable and protecting freedom of speech and academic integrity within higher education systems.
The UNC System’s approach to replacing traditional DEI programs with their “Equality Within the University of North Carolina” framework represents one model for how conservative-led educational reforms are being implemented nationwide. As demonstrated by the swift dismissals of both Pugh and Sanders, there appears to be growing resolve among university system leadership to enforce compliance with these new directives, despite apparent resistance from some mid-level administrators.