I stand
with mason
Higher education in America is undergoing many needed changes. There is broad agreement that reform is needed, and constructive reform is in fact happening. But destructive attacks are coming as well, one at a time to select universities. A powerful agenda to end the independence of public higher education has reached our university, and it is our simple duty as informed citizens to counter it.
Mason became aware on July 1 that the federal Department of Education had launched an investigation based upon allegations from unnamed complainants that the university and President Gregory Washington had allowed antisemitism to take root on campus. On July 10, the Department of Education sent a second notice of investigation, this time looking into whether Mason had engaged in discriminatory faculty hiring practices. A third investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice was announced on July 17. It targeted President Washington personally and alleged he had engaged in discriminatory employment practices.
We doubt the merit of allegations contained in any federal action against Mason or Dr. Washington and believe them to be a pretext for a broader agenda to dismantle the independence of public higher education. Recent events at the University of Virginia and elsewhere make this clear. We are also left with serious questions concerning the manner in which the Board of Visitors has conducted itself in the wake of such allegations. The Board has a legal fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the university, ensuring its financial stability and long-term success. And yet, despite all evidence to the contrary, it has presumed the university’s guilt and threatened to terminate Dr. Washington’s employment or force his resignation.
Anyone who has studied or worked at Mason (like us) knows that it welcomes everyone and always has, no matter what. That vibe is what attracted so many of us to apply to Mason in the first place. While single acts of discrimination or antisemitism are possible anywhere, Mason has shown over and over that it does everything it can to prevent such hostile acts. By its very nature and reputation, it holds its doors open to anyone and everyone.
Mason is arguably the most diverse university in the country. It accepts 9 out of 10 applicants, ensuring that everyone who is academically prepared to succeed can get a college degree and live a more fulfilling, more financially secure life. The university has historically not used race-based affirmative action in its admissions process, focusing instead on a race neutral, holistic approach.
Mason has extensive programming in place to combat antisemitism. Dr. Washington always reminds us of who we are – a broad and welcoming community for students from across the globe. He has repeatedly denounced antisemitism and taken action to prevent it.
This pressure campaign by the Trump administration is evidence of a mindset that universities are the enemy. It is wrong. It is evidence of a boundless avarice to control all aspects of American life, thus homogenizing it into one man’s story. It will end the independence of public higher education, and therefore divergent thought. This is not America. We must stand against it and STAND FOR MASON.