On August 22, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) officially found George Mason University (GMU) in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The violation arises from using race and other immutable characteristics in hiring, promotion, and tenure practices, deeming these policies unlawful
As Virginia Mercury reports:
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.
Key Findings & Required Actions
Violations identified include:
- GMU’s use of Equity Advisors in hiring departments who considered race, sex, etc.
- Directives by President Gregory Washington to factor in being a “person of color” when evaluating emotional labor in promotions.
- Establishing an anti-racism task force and diversity cluster hiring designed to align faculty makeup with the student population
- Policies permitting GMU to bypass competitive search procedures if a candidate advanced diversity goals.
- Requirements that promotions or hiring decisions be approved by the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community (formerly the DEI office)
OCR’s proposed Resolution Agreement mandates that GMU must:
- Have President Washington issue a public apology and statement affirming compliance with Title VI and explaining how to file discrimination complaints.
- Post the statement prominently on the university’s website and remove any contradictory messaging
- Review and revise all hiring, recruitment, promotion, and tenure policies, removing any race-based preferences or language
- Provide annual training to all decision-makers involved in hiring and promotions, reinforcing Title VI compliance.
- Maintain detailed records and appoint a coordinator to oversee implementation of the Resolution Agreement
GMU has a 10-day window to voluntarily accept and implement this agreement.
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