The University of Pennsylvania has reached a landmark resolution with the United States Department of Education, agreeing to bar transgender women from participating in women’s sports and restore athletic records to biological female athletes.
The agreement follows a civil rights investigation into alleged Title IX violations stemming from the participation of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas during the 2021-2022 season, according to ABC News.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Donald Trump administration and the university confirmed that Penn would comply with Title IX as newly interpreted by the Department of Education — which now defines s*x strictly as biological under a Trump-era executive order.
The university will also adopt policies ensuring s*x-based access to locker rooms and bathrooms for student-athletes.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon hailed the agreement as a “common-sense” victory for women and girls.
“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,” McMahon stated.
As part of the agreement, Penn will issue personalised letters of apology to female swimmers affected by the inclusion of transgender athletes and revise Division I swimming records, titles, and recognitions to reflect biological s*x.
The Department of Education launched the investigation in April following numerous petitions and complaints about the fairness and legality of allowing Lia Thomas — a transgender woman — to compete on the university’s women’s swim team. Thomas made history as the first openly transgender NCAA Division I national champion but sparked national controversy and legal challenges.
In addition to restoring athletic honours to impacted female athletes, Penn has vowed to end any partnerships with third parties or athletic associations that do not comply with the federal interpretation of Title IX. The university also committed to shielding female students from s*x-based discrimination in all its athletic programmes.
University of Pennsylvania President Dr. J. Larry Jameson acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, stating: “Our commitment to ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment for all of our students is unwavering. At the same time, we must comply with federal requirements, including executive orders and NCAA eligibility rules.”
Jameson further admitted that, although the university followed NCAA policies at the time Lia Thomas competed, the experience caused distress for other athletes. He pledged to review and update the women’s swim team records to reflect current eligibility guidelines.
The university had previously faced sanctions, including the suspension of $175 million in federal contracts, over its handling of transgender participation in women’s sports. The Trump administration had made the reinstatement of funding conditional upon compliance with its executive orders.
Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer who tied with Thomas in the 2022 NCAA championship, praised the outcome.
“This administration does not just pay lip service to women’s equality: it vigorously insists on it being upheld,” said Gaines. “It is my hope this demonstrates that educational institutions will no longer be allowed to trample upon women’s civil rights.”
The agreement coincides with the Department of Education’s designation of June as “Title IX Month,” commemorating women’s achievements and their ongoing fight for equal opportunity in education and athletics.
