House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government Chairman Chip Roy have requested that George Mason University President Dr. Gregory Washington provide testimony in a transcribed interview with the Committee. The request seeks information regarding the university's adherence to civil rights laws.
The committee’s letter follows reports and documents indicating what it describes as a culture of intolerance at George Mason University, which they argue may violate the Civil Rights Act. The chairmen claim that under Dr. Washington’s leadership, the university has engaged in racial discrimination in hiring and promotion practices for faculty and staff, actions they believe are contrary to federal law and executive orders.
Chairman Jordan and Chairman Roy state: "While Dr. Washington's purported intent is to 'remake George Mason into an exemplar of anti-racism,' the available evidence seems to indicate that these policies have done just the opposite."
They reference Executive Order 4,173, which directs federal agencies to enforce civil rights laws by ending illegal preferences linked to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. According to the letter, George Mason University responded by making superficial changes to its DEI initiatives but retained "the substance" of policies promoting preferences based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
The committee outlines several concerns:
- Guidance allegedly provided by George Mason instructing campus hiring authorities to favor members of "underrepresented groups."
- A July 2020 announcement from Dr. Washington detailing steps intended to "advance systemic and cultural anti‐racism," including new criteria for promotion and tenure that account for "invisible and uncredited emotional labor that people of color expend."
- The creation of a Task Force on "Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence," appointment of "Equity Advisors" in every academic department overseeing recruiting decisions, and requirements for all course syllabi to include an "anti-racism statement."
- Removal of information about DEI policies from the university website; instead of eliminating its DEI office as required by Executive Order 4,173, George Mason reportedly renamed it as the "Office of Access, Compliance, and Community."
"The Civil Rights Act exists to protect all Americans from illegal discrimination in public places. The available evidence strongly suggests that George Mason University under Dr. Washington's leadership is engaged in conduct that unlawfully promotes such discrimination," wrote Jordan and Roy.
The full letter addressed to Dr. Gregory Washington is available online.
