Latest news with #GregoryWashington
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Trump administration targets George Mason University in widening war on diversity hiring in higher education
The Trump administration has initiated a civil rights investigation into George Mason University, marking a sharp escalation in its national campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. The move brings federal scrutiny to Virginia's largest public university and signals that public institutions, not just elite private colleges, are now firmly in the administration's crosshairs. Allegations of racial preferencing in hiring The U.S. Department of Education opened the investigation in response to a complaint filed by several faculty members at George Mason. The complaint alleges that the university has prioritized diversity considerations over traditional academic credentials in its hiring and promotion decisions. It points to internal practices such as including 'equity advisers' in academic departments and implementing 'diversity cluster hire' initiatives to increase representation of underrepresented groups. At the heart of the complaint is university president Gregory Washington, whose internal guidance allegedly encouraged departments to weigh diversity-related factors even when candidates may not have had superior qualifications compared to others. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Get ₹2Cr life cover@ ₹700 p.m. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Federal response and legal grounds Preliminary statements from the Education Department suggest that George Mason's current hiring practices could constitute illegal racial preferencing under federal civil rights laws. The administration has argued that race-conscious hiring policies amount to reverse discrimination, especially against white and Asian American applicants, and has made dismantling such frameworks a key focus of its education policy. This probe reflects a broader ideological and legal strategy that frames DEI initiatives as violations of anti-discrimination laws, rather than efforts to promote inclusion and equity. University's position and recent changes George Mason University has denied the allegations and maintains that it remains fully compliant with all federal and state regulations. Earlier this year, the university renamed its DEI office, though it concluded that its broader policies already aligned with legal standards. The institution has emphasized that its recruitment processes are designed to attract qualified candidates while fostering a diverse academic environment. Despite its strong reputation in conservative law and economics circles, George Mason has drawn criticism from right-leaning groups for its commitment to DEI programming. The university has defended its practices, rejecting claims that they compromise academic excellence or fairness. A pattern across public universities This investigation comes just weeks after a similar probe at the University of Virginia, which led to the resignation of its president under political and legal pressure. Conservative advocacy groups have been actively filing complaints and monitoring DEI policies at public institutions, arguing that these programs are ideologically motivated and not legally defensible. A 2023 report by a conservative think tank singled out George Mason for its 'bloated' DEI staffing and programming, further fueling criticism. Though the university disputed the report's accuracy and methodology, it marked a turning point in public discourse around its campus policies. Higher education at a crossroads The George Mason case underscores a growing divide in American higher education. While many universities continue to defend DEI as essential to academic and social progress, the Trump administration has doubled down on its efforts to roll back such policies, particularly in institutions that receive federal funding. As the investigation proceeds, George Mason finds itself navigating a complex and politically charged environment—balancing institutional values, public accountability, and legal risk in a time of shifting federal priorities. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
NBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- NBC News
George Mason University faces investigation in Trump administration's anti-DEI crackdown
The Trump administration on Thursday opened a civil rights investigation into the hiring practices at George Mason University, expanding a national campaign against diversity policies to Virginia's largest public university. The Education Department said it is responding to a complaint from multiple professors at George Mason who accuse the university of favoring those from underrepresented groups. The complaint takes aim at the university's president, Gregory Washington, saying he issued guidance that favors faculty candidates based on diversity considerations rather than their credentials, according to the department. It marks an expansion of the Trump administrations campaign to reshape higher education, which until recently focused on elite private institutions like Harvard and Columbia universities. George Mason is the second big public university to face scrutiny in recent weeks, following a Justice Department investigation at the University of Virginia that prompted the school's president, James Ryan, to resign. A statement from George Mason denied any allegations of discrimination and said the university "affirms its commitment to comply with all federal and state mandates." The Trump administration has used civil rights law to fight DEI, saying diversity preferences amount to illegal discrimination against white and Asian American people. On his second day in office, Trump signed an action demanding an end to DEI at all universities that receive federal money. George Mason responded to federal orders by renaming its DEI office in March, but it concluded that its policies were already in line with federal law. The complaint to the Education Department said the school did nothing to change campus hiring and promotion policies that favored those from minority groups, the department said. The complaint said George Mason had a policy to include an "equity adviser" in every academic department to help recruit faculty. The university also created an "anti-racism" task force whose work included "diversity cluster hire initiatives," according to the agency. It also accuses Washington of issuing guidance allowing faculty and staff to be hired based partially on their diversity "even if that candidate may not have better credentials than the other candidate." Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights, said "it appears" that George Mason's hiring and promotion policies "not only allow but champion illegal racial preferencing." George Mason has built a reputation as a conservative powerhouse, especially in law and economics. But it has also been the subject of conservative criticism over its DEI initiatives. A 2023 report by the Heritage Foundation found that George Mason was "bloated" with high numbers of DEI officials and had "radical content" on its websites. Washington disputed the report and its methodology. The University of Virginia was also called out in the report, and its president more recently faced criticism from conservative groups that said he was too slow to end DEI initiatives on the Charlottesville campus. Among those leveling complaints were America First Legal, a conservative group founded by Trump aide Stephen Miller.
The Mainichi
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
George Mason University faces investigation in Trump administration's anti-DEI crackdown
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Trump administration on Thursday opened a civil rights investigation into the hiring practices at George Mason University, expanding a national campaign against diversity policies to Virginia's largest public university. The Education Department said it is responding to a complaint from multiple professors at George Mason who accuse the university of favoring those from underrepresented groups. The complaint takes aim at the university's president, Gregory Washington, saying he issued guidance that favors faculty candidates based on diversity considerations rather than their credentials, according to the department. It marks an expansion of the Trump administrations campaign to reshape higher education, which until recently focused on elite private institutions like Harvard and Columbia universities. George Mason is the second big public university to face scrutiny in recent weeks, following a Justice Department investigation at the University of Virginia that prompted the school's president, James Ryan, to resign. A statement from George Mason denied any allegations of discrimination and said the university "affirms its commitment to comply with all federal and state mandates." The Trump administration has used civil rights law to fight DEI, saying diversity preferences amount to illegal discrimination against white and Asian American people. On his second day in office, Trump signed an action demanding an end to DEI at all universities that receive federal money. George Mason responded to federal orders by renaming its DEI office in March, but it concluded that its policies were already in line with federal law. The complaint to the Education Department said the school did nothing to change campus hiring and promotion policies that favored those from minority groups, the department said. The complaint said George Mason had a policy to include an "equity adviser" in every academic department to help recruit faculty. The university also created an "anti-racism" task force whose work included "diversity cluster hire initiatives," according to the agency. It also accuses Washington of issuing guidance allowing faculty and staff to be hired based partially on their diversity "even if that candidate may not have better credentials than the other candidate." Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights, said "it appears" that George Mason's hiring and promotion policies "not only allow but champion illegal racial preferencing." George Mason has built a reputation as a conservative powerhouse, especially in law and economics. But it has also been the subject of conservative criticism over its DEI initiatives. A 2023 report by the Heritage Foundation found that George Mason was "bloated" with high numbers of DEI officials and had "radical content" on its websites. Washington disputed the report and its methodology. The University of Virginia was also called out in the report, and its president more recently faced criticism from conservative groups that said he was too slow to end DEI initiatives on the Charlottesville campus. Among those leveling complaints were America First Legal, a conservative group founded by Trump aide Stephen Miller.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
George Mason University faces investigation in Trump admin's crackdown
The Trump administration on Thursday opened a civil rights investigation into the hiring practices at George Mason University, expanding a national campaign against diversity policies to Virginia's largest public university. The Education Department said it is responding to a complaint from multiple professors at George Mason who accuse the university of favoring those from underrepresented groups. The complaint takes aim at the university's president, Gregory Washington, saying he issued guidance that favors faculty candidates based on diversity considerations rather than their credentials, according to the department. It marks an expansion of the Trump administrations campaign to reshape higher education, which until recently focused on elite private institutions like Harvard and Columbia universities. George Mason is the second big public university to face scrutiny in recent weeks, following a Justice Department investigation at the University of Virginia that prompted the school's president, James Ryan, to resign. A statement from George Mason denied any allegations of discrimination and said the university affirms its commitment to comply with all federal and state mandates. The Trump administration has used civil rights law to fight DEI, saying diversity preferences amount to illegal discrimination against white and Asian American people. On his second day in office, Trump signed an action demanding an end to DEI at all universities that receive federal money. George Mason responded to federal orders by renaming its DEI office in March, but it concluded that its policies were already in line with federal law. The complaint to the Education Department said the school did nothing to change campus hiring and promotion policies that favored those from minority groups, the department said. The complaint said George Mason had a policy to include an equity adviser in every academic department to help recruit faculty. The university also created an anti-racism task force whose work included diversity cluster hire initiatives," according to the agency. It also accuses Washington of issuing guidance allowing faculty and staff to be hired based partially on their diversity even if that candidate may not have better credentials than the other candidate. Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights, said it appears that George Mason's hiring and promotion policies not only allow but champion illegal racial preferencing. George Mason has built a reputation as a conservative powerhouse, especially in law and economics. But it has also been the subject of conservative criticism over its DEI initiatives. A 2023 report by the Heritage Foundation found that George Mason was bloated with high numbers of DEI officials and had radical content on its websites. Washington disputed the report and its methodology. The University of Virginia was also called out in the report, and its president more recently faced criticism from conservative groups that said he was too slow to end DEI initiatives on the Charlottesville campus. Among those leveling complaints were America First Legal, a conservative group founded by Trump aide Stephen Miller.
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
George Mason University faces investigation in Trump administration's anti-DEI crackdown
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Thursday opened a civil rights investigation into the hiring practices at George Mason University, expanding a national campaign against diversity policies to Virginia's largest public university. The Education Department said it is responding to a complaint from multiple professors at George Mason who accuse the university of favoring those from underrepresented groups. The complaint takes aim at the university's president, Gregory Washington, saying he issued guidance that favors faculty candidates based on diversity considerations rather than their credentials, according to the department.
