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Dear Carolina Research Community,

We understand that there are many questions arising from the recent set of presidential Executive Orders, some of which may affect federally funded research on campus. Multiple offices across campus are actively working to evaluate the effect of the orders, as well as a temporary restraining order issued late Friday, Jan. 31. We remain committed to providing updates as new details become available.

We are aware that certain federal agencies have sent communications to principal investigators and others affirming the need to be in compliance with the recent Executive Orders. These communications have been broadly written and do not provide project-specific guidance, but we may yet receive further guidance from our funding agencies.

In any case, the University is committed to following the relevant laws, and has numerous policies designed to do just that. The University and UNC System maintain longstanding policies prohibiting unlawful discrimination and harassment. These policies prohibit differential treatment on the basis of race or sex, as the new Executive Orders affirm cannot occur.

Over the last approximately two years, the University has engaged in various efforts to ensure compliance with recently revised Systemwide policies, including Section II.A.5 of Policy 300.5.1, Political Activities of Employees, and revised Policy 300.8.5, Equality at the University of North Carolina. To ensure compliance with these University and System policies, as well as evolving state and federal laws and grant funding agency expectations, discussions were held with each of our schools and various offices and individuals across campus to help navigate changes.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor of Research (OVCR), the Office of University Counsel, the Office of Federal Affairs, and other offices are monitoring these and any further Executive Orders that may have impacts on campus, guidance that may be provided, and court actions that may affect the implementation of these orders.

We will keep our research community updated as developments occur. In the meantime:

Penny Gordon-Larsen
Vice Chancellor for Research
 
Andy Johns
Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Research
 
Kelly Dockham
Directror, Office of Federal Affairs

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