According to ED, the investigation by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) stems from a complaint filed by multiple GMU professors who claim the university has implemented hiring and promotion practices that illegally consider race and other characteristics. The university, however, maintains it has consistently followed federal civil rights laws.
The complaint alleges that GMU has engaged in discriminatory practices from 2020 to present, including:
- Establishing "Equity Advisors" in academic departments to consider race and other characteristics in faculty recruiting
- Implementing promotion and tenure processes that account for whether faculty members are "people of color"
- Creating diversity-focused hiring initiatives designed to reflect the university's student demographics
- Guidance suggesting candidates' diversity could be a deciding factor in hiring decisions
Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor characterized the alleged practices as discrimination "packaged as 'anti-racism,'" stating the Trump administration would not tolerate such policies.
GMU has pushed back against the characterization of its policies as discriminatory. In a March 2025 university-wide email, President Gregory Washington announced the renaming of the "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" office to the "Office of Access, Compliance, and Community" while maintaining that GMU "has always complied with existing civil rights laws."
The university's position suggests its policies are designed to promote equal opportunity and inclusion rather than engage in illegal discrimination. Many universities nationwide have implemented similar diversity initiatives aimed at addressing historical underrepresentation in academia.
The investigation highlights the complex legal landscape surrounding diversity efforts in higher education. While Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, courts have historically allowed certain race-conscious measures designed to remedy past discrimination or promote diversity.
Legal experts note that the distinction between permissible diversity initiatives and illegal discrimination often depends on specific implementation details and whether programs are narrowly tailored to achieve compelling institutional interests.
The timing of the George Mason investigation coincides with broader national debates about the role of diversity programs in education and employment, with different administrations taking varying approaches to enforcement of civil rights laws.
This investigation represents one of multiple federal reviews of GMU's campus climate. The university also faces a separate Title VI investigation regarding its response to alleged antisemitic incidents affecting Jewish students and faculty from October 2023 through the current academic year.
The OCR process typically involves extensive fact-gathering and legal analysis before reaching conclusions about whether violations occurred. If violations are found, potential consequences could include requirements for policy changes, training, or in severe cases, loss of federal funding. However, many such investigations result in negotiated agreements that allow institutions to modify practices while maintaining federal support.
