Press Release

The University of Pennsylvania has received at least a press release, if not a letter, from the US Dept. of Education on the issue of trans athletes in women's sports. Unlike the Harvard situation - in which Harvard is likely to prevail in court, this one is iffy for U-Penn, both in judicial court (Would 5 members of the US Supreme Court ultimately go along with Penn's position?) or the court of public opinion (Recall the Trump campaign's they/them/you ad?). 

It's not clear that other universities that were willing to join with Harvard on a different issue would be as willing to join with U-Penn, particularly because the eventual legal outlook is murky.

The Dept. of Education is demanding U-Penn do the following:

(i) Issue a statement to the University community stating that the University will comply with Title IX in all of its athletic programs;

(ii) Restore to all female athletes all individual athletic records, titles, honors, awards or similar recognition for Division I swimming competitions misappropriated by male athletes competing in female categories; and

(iii) Send a letter to each female athlete whose individual recognition is restored expressing an apology on behalf of the University for allowing her educational experience in athletics to be marred by sex discrimination.

Full release at https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-educations-office-civil-rights-finds-university-of-pennsylvania-has-violated-title-ix.