WASHINGTON (AP) – In a significant development, the U.S. Education Department has cited San Jose State University (SJSU) for gender discrimination over its policy allowing a transgender athlete to compete on the women’s volleyball team. This conclusion aligns with the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to address the involvement of transgender athletes in female sports.
The Education Department proposed a deal that entails SJSU accepting a specific definition of 'male' and 'female', restoring titles to female athletes that reportedly were 'misappropriated' by male athletes, and issuing a formal apology to female competitors. As the university remains silent on the matter, the consequences of rejecting this proposal could lead to a lawsuit from the Justice Department and potential loss of federal funding.
The investigation into SJSU was initiated in February, coincidentally alongside another probe at the University of Pennsylvania, where a similar settlement was reached. The federal action is part of a larger initiative against educational institutions that permit transgender athletes to compete, a policy supported by President Donald Trump.
Officials from the Education Department have asserted that the treatment of female athletes on this volleyball team has violated Title IX, a federal law enacted in 1972 that mandates gender equity in education and sports. This decision came to light after nine student athletes in the Mountain West Conference filed a lawsuit contesting league policies that allow transgender participation.
“We will not relent until SJSU is held accountable for these abuses and commits to the tenets of Title IX, ensuring protections for future athletes,” stated Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights at the Education Department.
Amid scrutiny, SJSU has attracted media attention, with several teams refusing to compete against its volleyball squad, which could lead to forfeits and losses for the opposing teams. While university officials have neither confirmed nor denied the presence of a transgender player on the team, the implications of the Department's findings raise critical discussions about equity, policy adherence, and the future of women's sports.
