Trump administration investigating Smith for admitting transgender women

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Smith College, an all-women’s college in Northampton, for admitting transgender women.

The Department’s Office for Civil Rights opened a probe on May 4 into whether the college violated Title IX.

“An all-women’s college loses all meaning if it is admitting biological males,” Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said in a statement. “Allowing biological males into spaces designed for women raises serious concerns about privacy, fairness, and compliance under federal law. The Trump Administration will continue to uphold the law and fight to restore common sense.”

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has banned transgender people in the military, removed references to the community from a national monument and said the government would recognize only male and female identity, affecting the ability of people to identify otherwise on items such as passports.

The administration has also blocked federal funding for schools over transgender policies, in addition to pro-Palestinian campus protests and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

In a statement, Smith said that they have received notice of the Title IX investigation.

“The College is fully committed to its institutional values, including compliance with civil rights laws,” the statement continued. “The College does not comment on pending government investigations.”

Smith, a small private liberal arts school that opened its doors in 1875, has admitted transgender women since 2015, following rallies on campus to protest Smith’s refusal to admit a transgender student in 2013.

On its website, Smith says it “considers for admission any applicants who self-identify as women; cis, trans, and nonbinary women are eligible to apply to Smith.”

Reporting by Margie Cullen, USA TODAY NETWORK – New England / Telegram & Gazette

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect