University of Maine System Confirmed Compliant with Federal and NCAA Regulations
The University of Maine System (UMS) announced Friday its adherence to federal and state statutes, as well as NCAA regulations revised following a presidential executive order concerning transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Compliance Confirmation Follows Title IX Investigation
This confirmation occurs after a prior Trump administration inquiry alleged the university system violated Title IX, the law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in federally funded educational programs. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) had previously indicated a potential suspension of federal funding to UMS, which encompasses seven universities throughout Maine.
Chancellor Expresses Relief and Focus on Future Funding
“We are pleased to resolve the Department’s Title IX compliance review, allowing the University of Maine and our statewide partners to continue utilizing USDA and other vital federal resources,” stated Dannel Malloy, Chancellor of the University System, in a statement to NBC News. He emphasized the importance of these funds to “strengthen and expand our natural resource economy and support rural communities through exceptional education, research, and outreach.”
Substantial USDA Funding Received by UMS
UMS received approximately $30 million in USDA funding in fiscal year 2024, according to university data.
USDA Acknowledges UMS Compliance
The UMS announcement followed a USDA statement on Wednesday affirming that the university system “clearly communicated its compliance with Title IX’s requirement to protect equal opportunities for women and girls to compete in safe and fair sports, as articulated in President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order.”
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Details of the Executive Order on Transgender Athletes
The executive order, signed last month, addresses transgender athletes in sports. It stipulates that federal funding may be withdrawn from educational programs not adhering to its guidelines, which restrict transgender women and girls from participating in female sports. The order asserts that allowing transgender women in women’s sports is “demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls, and denies women and girls the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports.”
Temporary Funding Pause and Subsequent Review
The USDA temporarily paused UMS funding, as indicated in a system news release dated March 11. According to the release, the USDA’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer communicated via email its evaluation of “if it should take any follow-on actions related to prospective Title VI or Title IX violations.”
USDA Stance on Executive Order Enforcement
“USDA is dedicated to upholding the President’s executive order, meaning any institution that chooses to disregard it can expect to lose future funding,” commented U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins last month, according to a news release.
UMS Affirms Consistent Compliance
Samantha Warren, UMS’ chief external and governmental affairs officer, stated that Maine’s public universities have consistently complied with state and federal laws, alongside NCAA regulations. She confirmed the system “remained compliant when the NCAA updated its rules in February.”
NCAA Policy Evolution on Transgender Athlete Participation
In 2022, the NCAA adopted a sport-specific approach for transgender athletes, deferring to policies established by each sport’s national governing body, subject to NCAA committee review. Following the executive order last month, the NCAA updated its policy, limiting “competition in women’s sports to student-athletes assigned female at birth only.”