Overview

• President Gregory Washington, through attorney Douglas F. Gansler, refused to apologize and disputed the Office for Civil Rights’ conclusions, calling the fact-finding incomplete and mischaracterized.
• The Office for Civil Rights said George Mason University violated Title VI in hiring, promotion and tenure practices and proposed an agreement requiring a personal apology, policy revisions and annual training.
• The investigation opened July 10 after multiple professors alleged preferential treatment for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds, with OCR citing Washington’s public statements and approval requirements involving the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community.
• Gansler argued OCR identified no applicant who was discriminated against and warned that any apology would imply unlawful conduct and create legal exposure for the university and its board.
• GMU’s Board of Visitors said it is reviewing the proposed agreement, as separate federal probes continue and after the board earlier this month approved a 1.5% raise for Washington.