The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has launched a Title IX investigation into Western Carolina University (WCU). The inquiry follows allegations that WCU has not complied with Title IX requirements to maintain sex-separated intimate spaces in federally funded higher education institutions. Reports suggest that WCU allowed a male student to share a room with a female in a girls' dormitory and investigated a female student for requesting a male student to leave a female locker room.
Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor stated, "WCU’s reported contempt for federal antidiscrimination laws and indifference to, and retaliation against, girls who have spoken up about males invading their intimate spaces is simply unacceptable." He emphasized the department's commitment to using all lawful means to address violations of women's and girls' civil rights.
Payton McNabb, an Independent Women's Forum Ambassador and former WCU student, expressed her concerns: "Western Carolina University has perpetrated a policy that is not in full compliance with Title IX. The violation has impacted not only me but many other female students at the university that deserve our rights to single-sex spaces."
According to reports citing emails from WCU administration, the university indicated it would not make changes based on President Trump's Executive Order but would continue analyzing allegations of sex discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Title IX prohibits discrimination "on the basis of sex," independent of executive orders.
In 2024, Payton McNabb faced a Title IX investigation at WCU after filming herself asking a male to leave the women's bathroom. Although the investigation was eventually dropped as she acted politely, WCU maintains its stance on policies related to compliance with Title IX.
A separate incident involved a female student leaving her dormitory after being assigned to share it with a male student identifying as female.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex-based discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
