WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Justice announced today that it has initiated an investigation into George Mason University (GMU) to assess whether the institution has breached federal civil rights laws by practicing discriminatory employment methods based on race and gender.
According to a statement from the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, the inquiry is centered on whether GMU’s decisions regarding hiring, promotions, and tenure for faculty have been unduly affected by considerations of race and gender, which would contravene Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
This investigation was triggered by internal documents and communications that reportedly highlight University President Gregory Washington’s focus on meeting “diversity” objectives through the incorporation of race and gender in employment choices. DOJ officials reference several emails and policy declarations that imply certain demographic groups may have received preferential treatment during hiring and promotion processes.
“It is unlawful and un-American to deny equal access to employment opportunities on the basis of race and sex,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division. “When employers screen out qualified candidates from the hiring process, they not only erode trust in our public institutions—they violate the law, and the Justice Department will investigate accordingly.”
The Employment Litigation Section of the Department will spearhead the investigation to ascertain if GMU has been involved in a consistent pattern of employment discrimination. This inquiry will evaluate the policies surrounding faculty recruitment, selection, promotion, and tenure to uncover any possible breaches of federal civil rights legislation.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act forbids employment discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in all employment facets, including hiring, termination, promotions, compensation, and other terms and conditions.
As of the time this was published, George Mason University had not provided a public statement regarding the announcement.
This investigation contributes to an escalating national discussion about the significance of diversity initiatives in higher education, particularly in light of recent court rulings that restrict the application of race-conscious admissions policies. The Justice Department has stressed that its priority is to guarantee fair and equal treatment in public institutions, in line with federal law.
More updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds.
