Sweet Briar College students are criticizing the school's new admissions policy, calling it transphobic.
The private women's college states on its website that applicants are eligible for admission "if she confirms that her sex assigned at birth is female and that she consistently lives and identifies as a woman."
The college's previous policy only required a birth certificate indicating female, according to Campus Pride. Campus groups, including the Student Government Association, have voiced their opposition on social media, especially concerning the new admissions requirement for incoming students to consistently identify and present as women.
"Recently, Sweet Briar College changed its admission criteria to exclusively admit individuals who live as women and present themselves as such. While we are aware of the college's historical context and mission, we must also recognize the evolving diversity and complexity of gender identities and expressions in our community," the SGA wrote in a statement. "... The verbiage is alienating, unnecessary, and it reflects a rise in transphobia in our country. Admitting trans and non-binary students, only to invalidate their identities based on narrow perspectives, is beyond disheartening."
In a statement to ABC13, Sweet Briar officials said: "As Sweet Briar College approached the beginning of the new 2024-2025 academic year, it needed to confirm its admission policy to meet the new requirements of the Common Application for admission for students entering college in the fall of 2025. That application now lists multiple gender options. The confusion this creates for applicants seeking admission to a women's college like Sweet Briar, necessitated a review of the College's admission policy by the Board and administration of the College. Sweet Briar College affirmed that it will continue its 123-year commitment to only admit women. Since political and other influences now call the meaning of the term "woman" into question, the College affirms that it understands the term in its historic and traditional way consistent with the intentions of our founder."
It's unclear whether the college's decision violates Title IX - a 1972 federal law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs that receive federal funding.
Under the new rules that went into effect Aug. 1, Title IX now explicitly includes protections against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. This particular provision has faced pushback from conservative groups and states, resulting in multiple lawsuits that have stalled the implementation of the revised regulations in 26 states, including Virginia where Sweet Briar is located.
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court also rejected a request by the Biden administration to enforce the new provisions on states involved in litigation over the specific changes.
