California university found in violation of Title IX over transgender athlete policy and retaliation against critics

The Department of Education has found San Jose State University in violation of Title IX for allowing a transgender-identifying biological male athlete to compete on the women’s volleyball team during the fall 2024 season.

On Wednesday, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said the public California university “caused significant harm to female athletes” with its transgender student-athlete policy and “retaliated” against the female volleyball players who were vocal about what they saw as unfair treatment.

McMahon promised to hold San Jose State “accountable” for violating the sex-based discrimination law.

The announcement marks the end of a nearly yearlong investigation into the university after assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose filed a Title IX complaint against her employer.

“SJSU caused significant harm to female athletes by allowing a male to