The U.S. Department of Education has announced that the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has entered into a Resolution Agreement to address violations of Title IX. This follows an investigation by the Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which found UPenn had violated Title IX by allowing a male athlete to compete in female athletic programs and use female-only facilities.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon commented, “Today’s resolution agreement with UPenn is yet another example of the Trump effect in action. Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, UPenn has agreed both to apologize for its past Title IX violations and to ensure that women’s sports are protected at the University for future generations of female athletes.” She added, “The Department commends UPenn for rectifying its past harms against women and girls.”
Paula Scanlan, a former swimmer at UPenn who competed alongside male athletes, expressed gratitude towards the Trump Administration. “I am deeply grateful...for refusing to back down on protecting women and girls,” she said. Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer, also praised the agreement: “From day one, President Trump and Secretary McMahon vowed to protect women and girls...today’s agreement with UPenn is a historic display of that promise being fulfilled.”
As part of the Resolution Agreement, UPenn will take several actions:
- Restore records and titles misappropriated by male athletes.
- Issue a public statement committing to comply with Title IX.
- Adopt biology-based definitions for 'male' and 'female'.
- Post statements on their website regarding compliance.
- Rescind guidance inconsistent with Title IX.
- Apologize personally to affected female swimmers.
The OCR began investigating on February 6 after Lia Thomas, a male swimmer, joined the Women’s Swimming Team at UPenn. Paula Scanlan testified before Congress about her experience during this period.
On April 28, OCR concluded that UPenn violated Title IX and proposed a Resolution Agreement as an alternative to enforcement proceedings by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
