According to ED, the investigation by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) stems from a complaint filed by multiple GMU professors who claim the university has implemented hiring and promotion practices that illegally consider race and other characteristics. The university, however, maintains it has consistently followed federal civil rights laws.
The complaint alleges that GMU has engaged in discriminatory practices from 2020 to present, including:
Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor characterized the alleged practices as discrimination "packaged as 'anti-racism,'" stating the Trump administration would not tolerate such policies.
GMU has pushed back against the characterization of its policies as discriminatory. In a March 2025 university-wide email, President Gregory Washington announced the renaming of the "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" office to the "Office of Access, Compliance, and Community" while maintaining that GMU "has always complied with existing civil rights laws."
The university's position suggests its policies are designed to promote equal opportunity and inclusion rather than engage in illegal discrimination. Many universities nationwide have implemented similar diversity initiatives aimed at addressing historical underrepresentation in academia.
The investigation highlights the complex legal landscape surrounding diversity efforts in higher education. While Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, courts have historically allowed certain race-conscious measures designed to remedy past discrimination or promote diversity.
