Source: Fox News
Summary
San Jose State University and the California State University system are suing the federal government over a Title IX ruling that found SJSU violated the law in its handling of a transgender volleyball player. The university is challenging the ruling and seeking to prevent potential federal funding cuts. The school claims it has followed the law and is being unfairly targeted.
Our Reading
The game followed a familiar script.
SJSU’s handling of trans athlete Blaire Fleming was always going to be a lightning rod for controversy. The school’s decision to roster Fleming, despite concerns from teammates, set off a firestorm of debate and ultimately led to a Title IX investigation.
The university’s response to the investigation was predictable – denial and defiance. Instead of complying with the OCR’s demands, SJSU chose to sue the federal government, arguing that the findings were “not grounded in the facts or the law.”
This is a classic case of a school trying to have it both ways. By suing the federal government, SJSU is attempting to avoid accountability for its actions and shift the blame to the OCR. But the real question is, what did the school know and when did it know it?
This one feels recognizable early. The controversy surrounding Fleming’s participation on the team was always going to be a messy and difficult situation, and SJSU’s handling of it has only added to the drama.
Original Observation: The university’s decision to sue the federal government is a classic case of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” – they’re either going to be accused of discriminating against trans athletes or of prioritizing their own interests over those of their students.
