University’s DEI policies appear to ‘champion illegal racial preferencing’: Office for Civil Rights
Complaints about George Mason University allegedly discriminating against white faculty prompted the U.S. Department of Education to open a civil rights investigation this week.
The allegations date back to 2020 when university President Gregory Washington, who was new at the time, announced a new taskforce on “anti-racism,” The College Fix reported at the time.
“Despite the leadership of George Mason University claiming that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, it appears that its hiring and promotion policies and practices from 2020 to the present, implemented under the guise of so-called ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,’ not only allow but champion illegal racial preferencing …” acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor stated in a news release.
The department’s Office for Civil Rights launched the investigation Thursday after receiving a complaint from “multiple professors at GMU,” the release states.
The faculty accused the public Virginia institution of illegally using “race and other immutable characteristics in university policies, including hiring and promotion,” the office stated.
More specifically, they alleged the university’s DEI and “anti-racism” policies are to blame.
Evidence includes “Equity Advisors” who work in every department to recruit faculty based, in part, on their “race, sex, and other characteristics,” according to the investigation.
It also cites guidance from President Washington about hiring employees based on their “diversity…even if that candidate may not have better credentials than the other candidate.”
Additionally, Washington issued directives for tenure that specifically mentioned recognizing “people of color.” He also created a Task Force on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence to develop policies regarding “systemic and cultural anti-racism” and “diversity cluster hire initiatives,” according to the investigation.
The university denied the allegations Thursday afternoon, stating that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, or any other characteristics.
“As always, we will work in good faith to give a full and prompt response,” the university stated. “George Mason University again affirms its commitment to comply with all federal and state mandates.”
The university also said the Office of Civil Rights’ decision to announce its investigation to the news media at the same time as it informed the university is “unprecedented.”
As The Fix reported at the time, GMU’s president instituted a number of race-related changes soon after being hired in 2020.
These included the “Task Force on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence” to review curriculum, policies, and training to learn where “systems, practices, and traditions of racial bias exist” and “eradicate” them with “systems and standards of anti-racism.”
MORE: George Mason University has nearly 100 DEI staffers: analysis
IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: A sign welcomes visitors to the campus of George Mason University; Daniel J. Macy/Shutterstock