A UNC Asheville Dean was fired after admitting on hidden camera that she “loves breaking rules” by continuing to implement DEI programs despite state-wide bans on such initiatives.
Key Takeaways
- Megan Pugh, UNC Asheville’s Dean of Students, was terminated after a conservative watchdog group secretly recorded her admitting to continuing DEI work against university system policies.
- The video captured Pugh stating “We probably still do [equity work] anyway, but, you know, gotta keep it quiet… But, I love breaking rules” despite the UNC Board of Governors’ May 2024 vote to eliminate DEI programs.
- The incident has drawn significant attention from national media outlets and prompted responses from congressional representatives, including Virginia Foxx.
- This termination follows a similar incident at UNC Charlotte, highlighting ongoing tensions over DEI implementation across North Carolina’s university system.
- UNC Asheville has pledged to conduct a comprehensive review to ensure compliance with state laws and university system policies.
Conservative Watchdog Exposes DEI Rule-Breaking
Accuracy in Media, a conservative watchdog organization, has succeeded in exposing continued Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) activities at the University of North Carolina Asheville despite system-wide prohibitions. Their undercover investigation led to the termination of Megan Pugh, the university’s Dean of Students, after she was recorded admitting to continuing DEI work in defiance of the UNC System’s rules. The video, which quickly gained traction across conservative media platforms, showed Pugh openly stating her willingness to circumvent official policies that had been implemented by the Board of Governors.
The damning exchange began when an undercover investigator expressed enthusiasm about the university’s ongoing equity initiatives, saying “I’m so glad that you guys are still doing equity work.” Pugh’s response revealed her cavalier attitude toward university policy as she admitted, “We probably still do anyway, but, you know, gotta keep it quiet… But, I love breaking rules.” The investigator encouraged this sentiment, responding, “Breaking rules, having fun doing it,” to which Pugh appeared to agree. This blatant admission directly contradicted the UNC System’s May 2024 decision to eliminate DEI programs across all campuses.
University Response and Congressional Reaction
Following the video’s release, UNC Asheville quickly distanced itself from Pugh’s statements. Brian Hart, the university’s spokesperson, emphasized the institution’s commitment to adhering to UNC System policies and state laws. After conducting a review of the situation, university officials terminated Pugh’s employment and announced plans for a comprehensive assessment to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations. The university has made it clear that Pugh’s comments did not reflect official practices or policies at UNC Asheville.
“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 and Chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
The controversy has drawn significant attention from major conservative media outlets, including Fox News and The Daily Wire, amplifying the incident as evidence of resistance to President Trump’s educational reform agenda. The situation has added fuel to ongoing national debates about academic freedom, institutional compliance with state directives, and the appropriate role of diversity initiatives in higher education. Congressional leaders like Representative Foxx have seized on the incident as evidence that stronger oversight may be needed to ensure university administrators follow established policies.
Broader Implications for Higher Education
This incident is not isolated within the UNC System. A similar situation occurred at UNC Charlotte, where administrator Janique Sanders was also dismissed after being secretly recorded discussing continued DEI activities. The Board of Governors’ May 2024 vote had eliminated all DEI offices and positions by September 2024, replacing traditional DEI programs with a new initiative called “Equality Within the University of North Carolina.” The repeated exposure of administrators attempting to circumvent these directives suggests a broader pattern of resistance to conservative educational reforms.
Accuracy in Media’s investigation has highlighted what many conservatives have long suspected: that despite official policy changes, progressive administrators continue to implement leftist ideological programs under different names or through unofficial channels. AIM, a nonprofit organization focused on exposing corruption through citizen activism and undercover journalism, has called for further action against administrators who violate established rules. The organization encourages public involvement to hold officials accountable and protect traditional American values in educational institutions against the encroachment of woke agendas that prioritize identity politics over merit and academic excellence.
