The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has determined that the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) breached Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. This conclusion was communicated to UPenn President J. Larry Jameson, highlighting the university's failure to provide equal opportunities for women due to allowing males to participate in women's intercollegiate athletics and use women-only intimate facilities.
OCR has put forward a proposed Resolution Agreement to UPenn, with a 10-day window to address the Title IX violations voluntarily. Failure to do so could result in the matter being referred to the U.S. Department of Justice for enforcement proceedings.
"Little girls who look up to Riley Gaines and Paula Scanlan can find hope in today’s action – the Trump Administration will not allow male athletes to invade female private spaces or compete in female categories," stated Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor. "UPenn has a choice to make: do the right thing for its female students and come into full compliance with Title IX immediately or continue to advance an extremist political project that violates federal antidiscrimination law and puts UPenn’s federal funding at risk."
The proposed agreement mandates that UPenn must take several actions, including issuing a statement to the university community committing to Title IX compliance in all athletic programs. Additionally, UPenn must restore all individual athletic records, titles, honors, and awards to female athletes that were misappropriated by male participants in women's categories. An apology letter is also required for each affected female athlete, acknowledging the impact of sex discrimination on their educational experience in athletics.
This directive follows an investigation launched by OCR under its authority as outlined by Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial support.
