The US Department of Education 's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has determined that George Mason University (GMU) violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 through discriminatory faculty hiring and promotion practices. The finding follows a formal investigation launched after complaints were filed by multiple GMU professors.
OCR found that GMU implemented policies under President Gregory Washington that gave preferential treatment based on race and other immutable characteristics. The practices, which were framed as part of a broader “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) initiative, were found to be in direct violation of Title VI, which prohibits race-based discrimination in institutions receiving federal funding.
OCR outlines unlawful use of race in hiring practices
OCR reported that GMU, under President Washington's leadership, used race as a factor in multiple university practices and policies, including recruitment, hiring, and promotion decisions. The university's Faculty Handbook required that before an offer could be made, approval had to be secured not only from the relevant academic and administrative personnel but also from the “Office of Access, Compliance, and Community,” formerly known as the “Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” This office's involvement was cited as part of the discriminatory process.
Additionally, GMU maintained policies allowing the university to waive competitive searches if a candidate “strategically advances the institutional commitment to diversity and inclusion.” This policy remained active as recently as Fall 2024 and was publicly available on GMU's website.
OCR found that these policies created a system of unlawful racial preference and led to discriminatory hiring and promotion decisions within the university.
Resolution agreement proposed by OCR
Following the investigation, OCR issued a proposed Resolution Agreement to GMU. The agreement outlines several required actions for the university to come into compliance with federal civil rights laws. GMU has 10 days to voluntarily accept and implement the agreement.
Under the proposal, President Washington must personally issue a public statement to all students and staff affirming that all recruitment, hiring, promotion, and tenure decisions will be conducted in compliance with Title VI. The statement must include an apology for the prior promotion of unlawful practices. It must also be prominently posted on the university's website, replacing any conflicting materials.
GMU is required to review and revise its policies and documents, including instructions to hiring panels and evaluation rubrics, to ensure that no provision supports race-based decision-making. All individuals involved in faculty recruitment and promotion must undergo annual training on non-discriminatory practices.
Compliance oversight and future steps
GMU must maintain all records necessary to demonstrate compliance with the agreement and make them available to OCR upon request. The university is also required to designate a coordinator to manage the implementation of the agreement.
OCR's investigation began on July 10, 2025, based on faculty complaints that GMU's DEI policies from 2020 onwards unlawfully prioritised applicants from “underrepresented groups” in order to advance anti-racism efforts.
President Washington's 2020 statements calling for the removal of “racist vestiges” from the university were cited during the investigation. A senior administrator also informed OCR that the president created an atmosphere of surveillance regarding DEI-related hiring objectives.
Under President Trump's administration, the Department of Education has pledged strict enforcement of Title VI and related civil rights laws.
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OCR found that GMU implemented policies under President Gregory Washington that gave preferential treatment based on race and other immutable characteristics. The practices, which were framed as part of a broader “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) initiative, were found to be in direct violation of Title VI, which prohibits race-based discrimination in institutions receiving federal funding.
OCR outlines unlawful use of race in hiring practices
OCR reported that GMU, under President Washington's leadership, used race as a factor in multiple university practices and policies, including recruitment, hiring, and promotion decisions. The university's Faculty Handbook required that before an offer could be made, approval had to be secured not only from the relevant academic and administrative personnel but also from the “Office of Access, Compliance, and Community,” formerly known as the “Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” This office's involvement was cited as part of the discriminatory process.
Additionally, GMU maintained policies allowing the university to waive competitive searches if a candidate “strategically advances the institutional commitment to diversity and inclusion.” This policy remained active as recently as Fall 2024 and was publicly available on GMU's website.
OCR found that these policies created a system of unlawful racial preference and led to discriminatory hiring and promotion decisions within the university.
Resolution agreement proposed by OCR
Following the investigation, OCR issued a proposed Resolution Agreement to GMU. The agreement outlines several required actions for the university to come into compliance with federal civil rights laws. GMU has 10 days to voluntarily accept and implement the agreement.
Under the proposal, President Washington must personally issue a public statement to all students and staff affirming that all recruitment, hiring, promotion, and tenure decisions will be conducted in compliance with Title VI. The statement must include an apology for the prior promotion of unlawful practices. It must also be prominently posted on the university's website, replacing any conflicting materials.
GMU is required to review and revise its policies and documents, including instructions to hiring panels and evaluation rubrics, to ensure that no provision supports race-based decision-making. All individuals involved in faculty recruitment and promotion must undergo annual training on non-discriminatory practices.
Compliance oversight and future steps
GMU must maintain all records necessary to demonstrate compliance with the agreement and make them available to OCR upon request. The university is also required to designate a coordinator to manage the implementation of the agreement.
OCR's investigation began on July 10, 2025, based on faculty complaints that GMU's DEI policies from 2020 onwards unlawfully prioritised applicants from “underrepresented groups” in order to advance anti-racism efforts.
President Washington's 2020 statements calling for the removal of “racist vestiges” from the university were cited during the investigation. A senior administrator also informed OCR that the president created an atmosphere of surveillance regarding DEI-related hiring objectives.
Under President Trump's administration, the Department of Education has pledged strict enforcement of Title VI and related civil rights laws.
TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
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