Four women's colleges face federal complaints over admitting self-identified men
Four historic women’s colleges have been accused in Department of Education complaints of admitting men who identify as women, allegedly misrepresenting their single-sex status and risking federal funding.
Four long-standing women’s colleges—Agnes Scott College, Bryn Mawr College, Stephens College and Wesleyan College—are the subject of complaints submitted by the Defense of Freedom Institute to the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. The complaints assert that each school admits individuals assigned male at birth who identify as women, yet continues to present itself as a women-only college, thereby making a substantial misrepresentation to applicants.
The institute contends this practice breaches Title IV of the Higher Education Act and Title IX provisions that safeguard single-sex spaces, and it warns that continued non-compliance could trigger limits, suspension, or termination of federal funding. Specific policies at each college are cited, highlighting language that permits “trans men” and other gender-nonconforming identities to enroll and share housing, restrooms and one outlet teams with cisgender women.
The filings emphasize that prospective students and families rely on accurate program descriptions when taking on federal student loans. The Defense of Freedom Institute is urging the OCR to investigate and enforce compliance with federal requirements.
Why it matters
Federal funding could be at risk if colleges misrepresent their single-sex status, affecting students and taxpayers.
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