SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Federal education officials have issued San Jose State University a 10-day deadline to address what they consider Title IX violations related to transgender student athletes, warning the institution could face litigation and lose federal dollars if it doesn’t meet their demands.
In January, the Education Department determined the California university violated federal law by permitting a transgender student athlete to compete on its women’s volleyball squad. Officials delivered their ultimatum through a letter sent Tuesday.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey explained that federal authorities had offered the university several options to address the alleged violations, including requiring athletic participation based on the current administration’s interpretation of biological sex categories.
“Yet, SJSU remains obstinate, choosing a radical ideology over safety, dignity, and fairness for its own students,” she said. “With today’s action, the Department is putting the university on notice: comply with the law or risk losing its federal funding.”
University representatives and California State University system officials had not responded to requests for comment by Wednesday.
Title IX represents landmark 1972 legislation designed to ensure gender equality in education.
Federal education authorities have initiated enforcement actions against multiple states and educational institutions that permit transgender athletes to compete on sports teams aligned with their gender identity, fulfilling President Donald Trump’s campaign pledge to eliminate such policies.
The San Jose State inquiry began in February 2025 along with a parallel investigation at the University of Pennsylvania. Penn subsequently reached an agreement resembling what’s being proposed to San Jose State, altering records established by a transgender swimmer and issuing apologies to other team members.
