"The Department's position is that the single-sex exception within Title IX applies to biological sex, not gender identity."
Federal Investigation Launched Into Smith College’s Transgender Admissions Policy
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has announced an investigation into Smith College, a private women’s college in Northampton, Massachusetts. The probe concerns the college’s policy of admitting transgender women, which the Department states may violate Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Nature of the Investigation
The investigation is being conducted by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. The Department's position is that the single-sex exception within Title IX applies to biological sex, not gender identity. An Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights stated that admitting individuals assigned male at birth into a women’s college raises questions about the institution’s compliance under federal law.
Origin of the Complaint
The investigation stems from a complaint filed in June 2025 by Defending Education, a conservative nonprofit organization. The complaint argues that Smith College discriminates by admitting individuals assigned male at birth who identify as women, while not admitting individuals assigned female at birth who identify as men.
Smith College's Policy and Response
Smith College updated its admissions policy in 2015 to explicitly include transgender women. Under this policy, the college accepts applicants who self-identify as women, including cisgender, transgender, and nonbinary individuals. The college provides resources including gender-affirming healthcare and all-gender restrooms. In a statement, Smith College noted it received notice of the investigation, stated its commitment to compliance with civil rights laws, and declined to comment further on a pending investigation.
Related Policy Decisions
In 2024, Smith College stated it would follow the National Collegiate Athletic Association's policy prohibiting transgender women from playing in women's sports.
Reactions
- Representatives of LGBTQ rights organizations have described the investigation as government overreach.
- Proponents of the investigation have stated that admitting transgender women undermines the single-sex nature of the institution.