News Summary
The Title IX agreement between the University of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Department of Education mandates the restoration of female athletes’ records and sets a precedent for transgender athlete participation in women’s sports. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon highlighted the agreement as a national model, emphasizing federal compliance and biological definitions for sex in athletics. The resolution also includes public apologies to affected female athletes and reflects significant actions required of UPenn to correct past violations.
Philadelphia – The landmark Title IX agreement between the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) and the U.S. Department of Education, which mandates the restoration of female athletes’ records and an apology for past violations, has recently been highlighted as a national model for addressing transgender athlete participation in women’s sports. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, in remarks delivered on January 13, 2026, cited UPenn’s compliance as setting a precedent for other educational institutions nationwide.
UPenn Agreement Cited as National Model
Secretary McMahon’s statements came as the Supreme Court heard arguments in cases concerning transgender athletes, emphasizing the federal government’s interpretation of Title IX. The agreement, finalized in July 2025, resolved a civil rights case that arose from transgender swimmer Lia Thomas’s participation in women’s sports at UPenn.
Key Components of the Resolution
Under the terms of the resolution agreement, UPenn committed to several significant actions to rectify what the Department of Education identified as Title IX violations. The university agreed to restore all individual Division I swimming records, titles, and similar recognitions to female athletes that were deemed to have been misappropriated by male athletes competing in female categories. This action directly impacts records set during the 2021-2022 season, particularly those related to Lia Thomas’s competition.
Furthermore, UPenn is required to issue a public statement affirming its compliance with Title IX and explicitly stating that the university will not permit males to compete in female athletic programs or use female intimate facilities. This public statement, which appears on the university’s website, confirms UPenn’s commitment to adhering to Title IX as interpreted by the Department of Education. The agreement also stipulates that UPenn will adopt biology-based definitions for the terms ‘male’ and ‘female’ in accordance with Title IX and recent executive orders.
Apology to Affected Female Swimmers
A crucial part of the settlement involves UPenn sending a personalized letter of apology to each female swimmer impacted by the university’s previous policies. This apology acknowledges that the educational experience in athletics for these female athletes was marred by sex discrimination. Former UPenn swimmers, including Paula Scanlan, had publicly sought such an apology and the rectification of records, citing concerns about fairness and shared locker room facilities during Lia Thomas’s participation.
Background of the Investigation
The federal civil rights investigation into UPenn’s compliance with Title IX was initiated by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in February 2025. The investigation focused on allegations that the university violated Title IX by allowing Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer, to compete on the women’s swimming and diving team during the 2021-2022 season. OCR concluded its investigation in April 2025, finding that UPenn had indeed violated Title IX.
The Trump administration, which had taken a stance on prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports, played a significant role in this resolution. Earlier in March 2025, the administration had paused $175 million in federal funding and contracts to UPenn, explicitly linking it to the university’s policies regarding transgender athletes. The resolution agreement subsequently led to the unfreezing of these federal funds.
Impact on Lia Thomas’s Records
Lia Thomas, who had previously competed on the men’s swim team, became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship in women’s swimming in 2022. Her participation and subsequent achievements ignited a national debate about fairness and equity in women’s sports. Under the agreement, UPenn modified a trio of school records set by Thomas. While the university will update swimming records based on the changed interpretation of Title IX, it will still credit Thomas for having set certain records in the 2021–2022 season in accordance with the eligibility guidelines at that time.
Broader Implications
Secretary McMahon underscored that UPenn’s settlement serves as a blueprint for how other universities may navigate similar challenges between federal mandates, NCAA regulations, and state laws. The Department of Education continues to advocate for the restoration of biological definitions of sex to ensure fair competition for female athletes across the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the latest development regarding UPenn’s Title IX agreement?
- The U.S. Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, recently highlighted UPenn’s Title IX agreement on January 13, 2026, as a national model for addressing transgender athlete participation in women’s sports.
- When was the Title IX agreement finalized?
- The Title IX agreement between UPenn and the U.S. Department of Education was finalized in July 2025.
- What are the main requirements of the UPenn Title IX agreement?
- The agreement requires UPenn to restore individual Division I swimming records, titles, and recognitions to female athletes that were misappropriated by male athletes competing in female categories; issue a public statement affirming compliance with Title IX and prohibiting males from competing in female athletic programs or using female intimate facilities; adopt biology-based definitions for ‘male’ and ‘female’; and send a personalized letter of apology to each impacted female swimmer.
- Who is Lia Thomas and how is she involved?
- Lia Thomas is a transgender swimmer who competed on UPenn’s women’s team in the 2021-2022 season, becoming the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship. Her participation prompted the Title IX investigation, and her records were subsequently modified under the agreement.
- Why did the Department of Education open an investigation into UPenn?
- The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened an investigation in February 2025 based on allegations that UPenn violated Title IX by allowing a transgender athlete to compete in women’s sports.
- Was federal funding affected by this case?
- Yes, in March 2025, the Trump administration had paused $175 million in federal funding and contracts to UPenn, linking it to the university’s policies on transgender athletes. The resolution agreement led to the unfreezing of these federal funds.
Key Features of the UPenn Title IX Agreement
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Agreement Date | Finalized in July 2025 with the U.S. Department of Education. | University-level |
| Records Restoration | All individual Division I swimming records, titles, or similar recognitions misappropriated by male athletes are to be restored to female athletes. | University-level |
| Apology to Female Athletes | Personalized letters of apology to each impacted female swimmer for sex discrimination. | University-level |
| Transgender Athlete Participation | UPenn will not allow males to compete in female athletic programs. | University-level |
| Definition of Sex | Adoption of biology-based definitions for ‘male’ and ‘female’ pursuant to Title IX. | Nationwide (as per Title IX interpretation) |
| Public Statement of Compliance | Issuance of a public statement affirming compliance with Title IX, posted prominently on the university’s website. | University-level |
| Federal Funding Status | The agreement led to the unfreezing of $175 million in federal funding and contracts that were previously paused. | University-level |
| Initial Investigation Date | Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) investigation opened in February 2025. | University-level |
| Lia Thomas Records | Records set by Lia Thomas were modified; however, she is still credited for records in 2021-2022 season under past eligibility rules. | University-level |
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