The Office for Civil Rights cited policies related to athletics and facilities, and gave the university a deadline to respond.
The U.S. Department of Education (the Department)’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently issued a Letter of Impending Enforcement Action to San Jose State University (SJSU) following a finding that the school’s athletics and facilities policies may violate Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.
“We have provided SJSU with multiple opportunities to resolve its Title IX violations… separating male and female athletes based on their biological sex, restoring rightfully-earned titles and accolades to female athletes, and apologizing to the women forced to forfeit competitions to protect themselves,“ said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey. “The Department is putting the university on notice: comply with the law or risk losing its federal funding.”
The OCR review examined the participation of a transgender athlete on the women’s volleyball team and the university’s handling of related complaints. The agency also found concerns regarding investigations of Title IX complaints and related responses.
The department gave the university 10 days to address the findings. Potential consequences could include referral to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and possible impacts on federal funding.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Richey and OCR personnel as they evaluate Title IX compliance.
- For Secretary McMahon to be discerning as she oversees the Education Department’s efforts to ensure institutions of higher education comply with federal laws and regulations.
- For San Jose State University leadership and administrators as they respond to the notice and consider policy adjustments.
Sources: Department of Education
