Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced that George Mason University (GMU) has violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, following an investigation into the university’s use of race and related characteristics in hiring, promotion, and tenure decisions.

The OCR determined that, under the leadership of GMU President Gregory Washington, the university engaged in unlawful race-based employment practices, including policies that gave preferential treatment to candidates from certain racial and ethnic backgrounds. These actions, the Department found, were in direct violation of Title VI, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in any institution receiving federal funds.

“In 2020, University President Gregory Washington called for expunging the so-called ‘racist vestiges’ from GMU’s campus. Without a hint of self-awareness, President Washington then waged a university-wide campaign to implement unlawful DEI policies that intentionally discriminate on the basis of race. You can’t make this up,” said Craig Trainor, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. “Despite this unfortunate chapter in Mason’s history, the University now has the opportunity to come into compliance with federal civil rights laws.”

The Department has issued a proposed Resolution Agreement requiring GMU to take immediate corrective action. The university has ten days to voluntarily resolve the violations before enforcement proceedings may begin. Among the mandated actions are:

• A personal apology and written statement from President Washington to the entire university community, affirming GMU’s commitment to nondiscrimination in hiring and employment;
• Removal of all public statements and internal policies that encourage or allow race-based employment decisions;
• Revision of hiring guidelines, rubrics, and internal policies to eliminate any racial preferences;
• Mandatory annual civil rights training for all personnel involved in recruitment, hiring, promotion, and tenure decisions;
• Appointment of a compliance coordinator and retention of all related records for OCR oversight.

The investigation was initiated on July 10, 2025, following complaints filed by multiple GMU professors. The faculty alleged that the university had, since 2020, implemented DEI policies that violated federal law, favoring applicants from “underrepresented groups” in the name of “anti-racism.” OCR’s findings included documentation of policies that allowed for waiving competitive searches if a candidate advanced the university’s diversity goals. The Faculty Handbook further mandated sign-off from the “Office of Access, Compliance, and Community” (formerly the “Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion”) before offers could be extended.

A university administrator told OCR that President Washington fostered a climate of “surveillance” to ensure DEI objectives were prioritized in hiring decisions.

Under federal law, continued violation of Title VI may result in loss of federal funding for the university.

As of publication, George Mason University has not issued a public response to the OCR’s findings or indicated whether it will sign the Resolution Agreement.