By Bei Jia Viggiano ’28
Sports Editor
As of Friday, May 8, Smith College is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for its admission of transgender students. The Department claims that the College is violating anti-discrimination laws under Title IX; Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education Kimberly Richey stated, “An all-women’s college loses all meaning if it is admitting biological males,” adding, “The Trump administration will continue to uphold the law and fight to restore common sense.”
Smith addressed the investigation in a statement that affirmed that the College will maintain their institutional values, which include compliance with civil rights laws. As of May 8, Smith’s president has not publicly spoken on the matter.
In a May 8 Dean’s Corner email to Mount Holyoke students, Dean Marcella Runell addressed the investigation: “I want you to know that Mount Holyoke is not currently under investigation, and I know that news like this can bring up a range of emotions.”
Runell closed by highlighting some support resources available to Mount Holyoke students, such as the College’s counseling service — which is currently operating on open-access scheduling until tomorrow, May 12 — and the 24/7 crisis line, which can be reached at 413-538-2037.
“Smith’s lack of empathy and action on behalf of its students is not an isolated issue,” a Smith student, who requested to remain anonymous, wrote to Mount Holyoke News. “It reflects a broader pattern of institutional silence and avoidance when it comes to protecting trans students. President Sarah [Willie-LeBreton]’s refusal to comment is not neutral, and in moments like this, her silence reads as complicity. Students are paying attention, and the absence of clear leadership in a moment that directly affects their safety and belonging is unacceptable.”
“The Department of Education’s investigation is unacceptable in both its premise and its impact,” the Smith student continued. “Under the current administration, its actions are not neutral; they actively create harm, fear, and uncertainty for trans students. It sends a message that their presence is something to be scrutinized rather than respected.”
An anonymous Smith alum from the class of 2025 voiced similar thoughts in an interview with Mount Holyoke News, “These threats from the DOE are yet another instance of the Trump administration attempting to rid our country of critical thinking and quality education, particularly among minorities. An educated people is a powerful people.”
“The Trump administration targets educated trans people, women and other gender minorities because it fears them,” the alum added.
Former Mount Holyoke College President Lynn Pasquerella contributed to the revision of Mount Holyoke College’s admission policies in 2014, allowing for the admittance of transgender students. She told The New York Times that Smith’s investigation “will create uncertainty for transgender students and discourage them from applying.”
“That will be the real loss,” Pasquerella stated.
“Institutions like Smith have a responsibility to push back clearly and publicly against actions that endanger their students, not to respond with vague or incomplete statements,” the Smith student added. “As a historically women’s college, Smith would not be what it is today without the presence, contributions, and leadership of [transgender] women. [Transgender] students are not an exception to this community — they are central to it. Their experiences, voices, and achievements shape this institution every single year.”
“I hope Smith College fights back and works diligently to protect its students physically, politically and academically, and lives up to its motto of ‘audacity, agency, authenticity,’” the Smith alum stated.
“At a minimum, students deserve transparency, accountability, and an administration that is willing to stand behind them without hesitation,” the Smith student concluded. “Silence in the face of harm is not neutrality; it is a choice.”
Paige Comeau ’26, Quill Nishi-Leonard ’27 and Madeleine Diesl ’28 assisted with coverage. Quill Nishi-Leonard ’27 contributed fact-checking.