Federal Title IX Investigation Targets Smith College Over Trans Admissions

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened a Title IX investigation on May 4, 2026 into Smith College, a private all-women’s liberal-arts college in Northampton, Massachusetts. The probe assesses whether admitting self-identified trans women and granting them access to women-only spaces violates Title IX’s single-sex exemption.

Inside Higher Ed

Title IX, passed in 1972, bars sex-based discrimination in federally funded education. The Obama and Biden administrations read the law to protect transgender students. The Trump administration, via an executive order, redefined gender as immutable biological sex and has pursued actions to enforce that definition, including lawsuits over transgender athletes and gender-affirming care.

CNN

Smith College self-identifies as a women’s institution and admits cis, trans and nonbinary women. The OCR investigation is overseen by Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey. The complaint was filed by Defending Education. Legal advocates include Shannon Minter (National Center for LGBTQ Rights) and Nicholas Hite (Lambda Legal).

CNN

The Williams Institute estimates 1 % of U.S. residents aged 13 + identify as transgender. Smith College’s 2024-2025 admission rate was about 22 %. Campus facilities include single-occupancy, all-gender restrooms and an all-gender locker room.

CNN

The Department of Education said an all-girls college that enrolls male students professing a female identity no longer meets Title IX’s single-sex exemption. Smith College issued a brief statement affirming civil-rights compliance and declined comment on the probe. Defending Education alleges the policy encroaches on sex-specific spaces.

Inside Higher Ed

LGBTQ advocates argue the investigation exceeds federal authority and endangers transgender students. They warn colleges may alter inclusive policies to avoid potential loss of federal funding.

CNN

The sources do not reveal the number of transgender students at Smith College, leaving the scope of the alleged Title IX breach uncertain. Institutional responses to similar probes vary.

CNN

• “an all-women’s college loses all meaning if it is admitting biological males.” — Kimberly Richey, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

Inside Higher Ed

• “Minter said that the investigation into Smith College would likely cause fear and anxiety for trans students and youth.” — Shannon Minter, National Center for LGBTQ Rights

CNN

• “Women’s colleges came into existence because of oppression that was inflicted on the basis of gender,” — Nicholas Hite, Lambda Legal

CNN

• “What we have seen [from the Trump administration] is attempts to use fear and intimidation,” — Lynn Pasquerella, President, American Association of Colleges and Universities

Inside Higher Ed

The OCR will release a findings report that could affect Smith College’s eligibility for federal funding. Depending on the outcome, the college may need to revise admissions, housing or athletic policies, or may contest the decision in court, influencing other single-sex colleges.

Federal Investigation Opened into Smith College Over Alleged Title IX Violations