Education Deptartment launches Title IX probe into Smith College for admitting trans women

May 6, 2026 - 04:47

The U.S. Department of Education has launched a Title IX investigation into Smith College, a private women's college in Northampton, Massachusetts, over its policy of admitting transgender women. The probe, confirmed by the department on Tuesday, examines whether the school's admissions practices violate federal civil rights law.

Smith College, which has historically served cisgender women, updated its admissions policy in 2015 to include transgender women who identify as female. The investigation focuses on whether this policy discriminates against students based on sex, as defined under Title IX. The law prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding.

The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights will review Smith's compliance. A spokesperson for the college stated that Smith is cooperating fully and believes its policy aligns with federal regulations. The investigation comes amid a broader national debate over transgender rights in education, with some conservative groups arguing that women's colleges should only admit students assigned female at birth.

Smith College enrolls about 2,500 students. The outcome of the probe could set a precedent for other single-sex institutions navigating similar policies. No timeline for a resolution has been announced.