Education Department Probes Smith College Over Trans Student Policy
Federal Office for Civil Rights opened a May 4 probe into whether Smith's policy admitting self-identified women violates Title IX after a June 2025 complaint.
FOX NewsSmith College 'makes a mockery' of all-women status by admitting transgender students, education watchdog says
Epoch TimesWomen’s College Faces Federal Inquiry for Admitting Males Identifying as Transgender
PJ MediaAll-Female Smith College Under Investigation for Admitting Men
Western JournalTrump Administration Investigating All-Women's College for Admitting 'Trans' Men, Allowing Them in Dorms, Bathrooms
Overview
The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation on May 4 into whether Smith College's admission of transgender women violates Title IX.
The department said it is investigating claims that Smith has been "admitting biological men" and granting them access to dormitories, bathrooms, locker rooms and athletic teams.
The probe followed a complaint filed in June 2025 by Defending Education, which alleged discrimination and unequal treatment in Smith's admission and facilities policies.
Smith, founded in 1871, enrolls about 2,500 undergraduates and in fall 2025 admitted 22% of applicants, and the college said it was notified of the investigation.
The department said Title IX's single-sex exception applies on the basis of biological sex differences, not subjective gender identity, and the Office for Civil Rights will determine whether Smith remains eligible for that exception.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the Department of Education probe as part of a broader Trump administration effort to curtail transgender rights by using evaluative language and contextual placement. Editorial phrasing like "limit transgender rights" and "attacks on trans people" contrasts with source content—quoted DOE language ("admitting biological men") and Richey’s statement—while background on Smith provides partial balance.