Smith College Under Federal Investigation Over Transgender Admissions Policy

May 5, 2026 - 23:23

The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into Smith College, a private women's college in Massachusetts, over its policy of admitting transgender women. The probe will determine whether the school's admissions practices violate Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education.

This action represents the latest effort by the Trump administration to restrict transgender rights across the country. The investigation focuses on whether admitting students who were assigned male at birth but identify as women conflicts with the legal definition of sex under Title IX.

Smith College, one of the Seven Sisters institutions, has maintained that its admissions policy is consistent with its mission as a women's college. The school has stated that it considers anyone who consistently lives and identifies as a woman to be eligible for admission.

Critics of the administration's move argue that it targets a small and vulnerable population. Supporters of the investigation say it is necessary to preserve single-sex educational spaces.

The outcome of the probe could have broad implications for other women's colleges that have adopted similar inclusive admissions policies. A finding against Smith could force the college to change its policy or risk losing federal funding.