Overview

• OCR concluded George Mason University violated Title VI and proposed remedies that include a public apology from President Gregory Washington, policy revisions, and annual trainings for hiring and promotion staff.
• Washington’s attorney, Douglas F. Gansler, said the investigation was truncated and mischaracterized statements, arguing OCR identified no applicants who were discriminated against and calling the allegation a legal fiction.
• The Education Department cited Washington’s 2021 remarks about choosing between equally qualified candidates and an approval role for the university’s access and compliance office as evidence of race‑based practices.
• GMU has already restructured or dissolved DEI programs, renamed its DEI office, and eliminated or reclassified at least 17 related positions to align with federal directives.
• The university’s board says it is assessing the proposal as overlapping federal inquiries continue, following recent actions that included a small pay raise for Washington and a resolution barring consideration of race in campus matters.