ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The University of North Carolina Asheville has found itself courting controversy this week after a video surfaced of Megan Pugh, the dean of students, claiming that she loved to “break the rules.”
Pugh, who has been fired from her position, was captured in a hidden camera video by the investigative media outlet Accuracy in Media.
In the video, an unseen interviewer asks Pugh questions about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI, practices at the university, which have been banned at all schools in the UNC network.
“I’m so glad that you guys are still doing equity work,” the interviewer said.
“I mean, we probably still do anyway, but, you know, gotta keep it, gotta keep it quiet,” Pugh stated. “But, I love breaking rules.”
According to a statement issued to the Raleigh News & Observer, UNC Asheville spokesman Brian Hart wrote that the university is “aware of a video in which an employee makes comments implying that the University does not comply with UNC System policies or legal requirements and supports employees disregarding such obligations.”
“These remarks do not represent the practices of UNC Asheville,” Hart continued. “The University remains firmly committed to upholding all UNC System policies as well as federal and state laws, both in principle and in practice.”
Hart wrote that after a review of the situation, Pugh was fired from UNC Asheville.