US finds GMU guilty of racial discrimination in faculty hiring: How it happened and what comes next

The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has found that George Mason University (GMU) violated Title VI by using race in faculty hiring and promotion decisions. Under President Gregory Washington, GMU implemented unlawful DEI policies that gave preferential treatment based on race. A proposed resolution requires a public apology, policy revisions, and annual training. GMU has 10 days to comply. The investigation began following complaints from multiple professors in July 2025.