George Mason University, home to one of the most diverse student bodies in the country, is at the center of a new federal civil rights investigation over its diversity and hiring practices. (Photo courtesy of Evan Cantwell/George Mason University)
George Mason University has been found in violation of federal civil rights laws, the U.S. Department of Education announced Friday, citing unlawful hiring and promotion practices.
Over the past two months, President Gregory Washington and GMU have faced mounting questions after the Department of Education and Department of Justice launched four federal investigations. Two of those involve alleged racial discrimination in employment, while another examines the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices.
The Education Department said Washington was notified of a violation of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, in institutions receiving federal funds. The university has 10 days to resolve the violations, which the agency said stem from “illegally using race and other immutable characteristics in university practices and policies, including hiring and promotion.”
Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said Washington’s effort to expunge “the so-called ‘racist vestiges’” from GMU’s campus led to a university-wide campaign that imposed unlawful DEI policies.
“You can’t make this up,” Trainor said.
“Despite this unfortunate chapter in Mason’s history, the university now has the opportunity to come into compliance with federal civil rights laws by entering into a Resolution Agreement with the Office for Civil Rights,” he added.
“In the last seven months, this much is clear: The Trump-McMahon Department of Education will not allow racially exclusionary practices — which violate the Civil Rights Act, the Equal Protection Clause, and Supreme Court precedent — to continue corrupting our nation’s educational institutions.”
Washington will be required to issue a statement affirming that GMU will conduct all recruitment, hiring, promotion, and tenure decisions in compliance with Title VI. He must also ensure the university disseminates information to the campus community explaining how to file a discrimination complaint, according to the announcement.
The resolution further requires the university to review and revise its policies and documents on hiring and promotion to comply with Title VI. GMU must also maintain records demonstrating compliance and make them available to the federal government upon request.
Some in the GMU community feared Washington would lose his job amid the ongoing investigations. Instead, after a three-hour closed session, the Board of Visitors unanimously approved a 1.5% state-approved salary bonus for him.
In a statement, the Board of Visitors said it is reviewing the proposed resolution steps and takes the matter seriously.
“We will continue to respond fully and cooperatively to all inquiries from the Department of Education, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. House of Representatives and evaluate the evidence that comes to light,” the board said. “Our sole focus is our fiduciary duty to serve the best interests of the university and the people of the commonwealth of Virginia.”
The next board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25.
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Author: Nathaniel Cline
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