WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has concluded that San Jose State University discriminated against women by allowing a transgender athlete to compete on the women’s volleyball team, according to the U.S. Education Department. The department has offered San Jose State a resolution that requires acceptance of the administration’s definitions of “male” and “female,” restoration of titles allegedly misappropriated by male athletes, and an apology to affected female athletes.
The university has not yet publicly commented on the matter. If it rejects the proposed deal, it could face a lawsuit from the Justice Department and risk losing federal funding.
The probe into San Jose State was initiated in February, paralleling a similar investigation at the University of Pennsylvania, which subsequently agreed to a comparable resolution. This issue has surfaced amidst broader actions against states and educational institutions permitting transgender athletes to compete, something President Trump has pledged to dismantle.
The Education Department cites violations of Title IX, the 1972 gender equity legislation, by allowing the transgender athlete on the team and allegedly retaliating against players who spoke against the decision.
“Until SJSU is held accountable for these abuses and ensures Title IX's protections for future athletes, we will not relent,” stated Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights at the Education Department.
The San Jose State volleyball team came into the spotlight after nine Mountain West Conference student athletes launched a lawsuit challenging the league's policies that permit transgender athlete participation, arguing they create unfair advantages and safety concerns. Several teams reportedly opted out of matches against San Jose State, resulting in losses for the university. However, San Jose State has yet to confirm if its volleyball team has a transgender player.
As part of the proposed agreement, the university would need to send a personalized apology to every woman who played on the women’s indoor volleyball team from 2022 to 2024, the 2023 beach volleyball team, and to any woman who forfeited games instead of competing against San Jose State.
The university has not yet publicly commented on the matter. If it rejects the proposed deal, it could face a lawsuit from the Justice Department and risk losing federal funding.
The probe into San Jose State was initiated in February, paralleling a similar investigation at the University of Pennsylvania, which subsequently agreed to a comparable resolution. This issue has surfaced amidst broader actions against states and educational institutions permitting transgender athletes to compete, something President Trump has pledged to dismantle.
The Education Department cites violations of Title IX, the 1972 gender equity legislation, by allowing the transgender athlete on the team and allegedly retaliating against players who spoke against the decision.
“Until SJSU is held accountable for these abuses and ensures Title IX's protections for future athletes, we will not relent,” stated Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights at the Education Department.
The San Jose State volleyball team came into the spotlight after nine Mountain West Conference student athletes launched a lawsuit challenging the league's policies that permit transgender athlete participation, arguing they create unfair advantages and safety concerns. Several teams reportedly opted out of matches against San Jose State, resulting in losses for the university. However, San Jose State has yet to confirm if its volleyball team has a transgender player.
As part of the proposed agreement, the university would need to send a personalized apology to every woman who played on the women’s indoor volleyball team from 2022 to 2024, the 2023 beach volleyball team, and to any woman who forfeited games instead of competing against San Jose State.
