Santa Rosa Junior College has been named as one of 18 educational institutions nationwide now under federal investigation by the Trump administration.
Per the Press Democrat, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights is targeting the college for its policies regarding transgender athletes. The probe follows a complaint filed by three former members of the Bear Cubs women’s volleyball team, who alleged that the inclusion of a transgender teammate created safety risks and denied equal opportunities for female athletes.
The administration argues that such policies violate Title IX, the federal law barring sex-based discrimination. While federal officials haven’t specified the exact details of the probe, the Department of Education recently issued a statement calling the participation of “male athletes” in women’s sports a “stunning indictment of our culture.”
In a statement, SRJC said it is cooperating with the investigation and remains committed to an inclusive environment while following state community college athletic regulations. LGBTQ advocacy groups have criticized the move, calling the investigation an attempt to intimidate students and “weaponize” Title IX.