The US Department of Education has concluded that George Mason University (GMU) has breached Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, by incorporating race, sex, and other immutable characteristics in its hiring and promotion practices. This finding by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) marks a significant turn in the federal oversight of university employment policies under the current administration.

Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Craig Trainor, criticized GMU's approach, particularly targeting actions initiated by University President Gregory Washington in 2020 aimed at addressing what he described as 'racist vestiges' on campus. Trainor stated, “President Washington then waged a university-wide campaign to implement unlawful DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies that intentionally discriminate on the basis of race ... The Trump-McMahon Department of Education will not allow racially exclusionary practices.”

In response, GMU’s Board of Visitors has expressed its commitment to thoroughly review the Department of Education’s recommendations and cooperate with ongoing inquiries. Their statement emphasized a dedication to rectifying any issues in alignment with legal and ethical standards, underscoring their duty to the university community and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The proposed resolution from the Department of Education includes a comprehensive review of GMU’s policies and the elimination of any criteria that consider race in employment decisions. Moreover, it asks for a personal apology from President Washington, reflecting the seriousness with which the OCR views the infractions.

This investigation started following complaints from several faculty members about preferential treatment linked to diversity initiatives, including a Task Force on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence, which has been particularly controversial. These events are part of a broader federal crackdown on perceived misapplications of diversity and inclusion efforts in educational settings, exemplified by similar investigations into institutions like Duke University.

The resolution and subsequent adjustments at GMU will likely serve as a bellwether for how diversity policies will be treated under renewed federal scrutiny. This case could potentially influence how universities across the nation formulate and implement their employment and operational policies in the future.