The Department of Education has determined that George Mason University violated federal civil-rights law by factoring race into hiring and promotion decisions, according to an announcement on Friday. The department's Office of Civil Rights concluded that the university's practices breached Title VI, which bars discrimination based on race, color, or national origin at institutions receiving federal funding, per the Washington Post.
In response, the department has proposed a resolution requiring GMU President Gregory Washington to publicly apologize to the campus community. The university would also need to revise its policies and conduct training to prevent race-based discrimination. Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor accused Washington of implementing "unlawful DEI policies that intentionally discriminate on the basis of race," calling it an "unfortunate chapter" in the school's history, reports the Hill. The university hadn't commented on the findings as of Friday morning, though last month it denied any discrimination and noted it "affirms its commitment to comply with all federal and state mandates," per NBC News.
The investigation is part of a broader push by the Trump administration, which has scrutinized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at colleges nationwide. In Virginia, such pressure previously contributed to the resignation of University of Virginia President James Ryan. The scrutiny at George Mason has raised concerns among Washington's supporters over his future at the school, especially given that the university's board is entirely appointed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Despite speculation about his potential ouster at a recent board meeting, the university instead approved a pay increase for Washington, the institution's first Black president.
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