Justice Department launches investigation into employment practices at George Mason University

FAIRFAX, Va. (DC News Now) — The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Thursday that it is launching an investigation to determine whether George Mason University (GMU) whether the university’s employment practices were discriminatory.

Officials said the investigation stems from “…statements and policies made by the University’s president, which indicate that race and sex are motivating factors in faculty hiring and other employment decisions” in order to achieve diversity goals.

The DOJ claimed that multiple emails and internal documents suggest preferential treatment to people of color and women.

One email sent from the university’s president, Gregory Washington, in 2020 said he intended to develop a renewal, promotion and tenure process to benefit faculty of color and women in their profession, according to a letter from the Justice Department.

In the letter, the DOJ alluded that anti-racist policies and “conscious efforts and access to provide equitable opportunities” were part of GWU’s discriminatory practices.

The DOJ said it is investigating whether these practices violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

DC News Now has reached out to GMU for comment but did not hear back in time for publication.