Federal Complaint Accuses Smith College of Title IX Violations

One of the largest all-women’s colleges in the U.S., Smith College, has faced a federal civil rights complaint alleging violations of Title IX. The complaint, filed by Defending Education with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, accuses the college of admitting men who identify as women and allowing them access to private women-only spaces, such as restrooms and locker rooms.
The complaint argues that Smith’s policies, which interpret Title IX to include protections based on gender identity, conflict with federal law and Supreme Court precedent. Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex, not gender identity, according to the Department of Education’s guidance and executive orders signed by former President Donald Trump.
Smith College’s Equal Education Opportunity Policy states that individuals who identify as women, including cis, trans, and nonbinary individuals, are eligible for admission. The college also allows male applicants to self-identify as women to gain admission, potentially displacing female applicants. Additionally, the college has converted single-occupancy restrooms and locker rooms into all-gender spaces, which the complaint claims violates Title IX by infringing on women’s privacy and equal access to education.
The complaint requests that the Department of Education investigate Smith’s policies and enforce compliance with Title IX. Smith College has not yet responded to the allegations.

Published: 6/24/2025