Saint Mary's College Faces Backlash Over New Admissions Policy

Saint Marys College Faces Backlash Over New Admissions Policy...

Saint Mary's College, a private Catholic women's college in Indiana, is facing widespread criticism after announcing a new admissions policy that excludes transgender women. The decision, revealed in an internal email leaked Monday, has sparked protests from students, alumni, and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.

The policy states that the college will only admit "biological females," reversing its previous inclusive stance. President Katie Conboy cited the school's Catholic identity as the reason for the change. The move comes amid growing national debates over transgender rights in education.

Students organized a walkout on Tuesday, with over 200 participants gathering on campus. The Women's College Coalition, which includes Saint Mary's, released a statement expressing disappointment. Prominent alumnae, including several lawmakers, have publicly condemned the decision.

The college's board of trustees is scheduled to meet Friday to discuss the policy. A petition demanding its reversal has garnered over 15,000 signatures. Local LGBTQ+ organizations are planning a larger protest for this weekend.

This controversy follows similar debates at other religious-affiliated colleges. The Department of Education is currently reviewing whether such policies violate Title IX protections. Legal experts suggest the case could test the boundaries of religious exemptions.

Saint Mary's enrollment office reported a surge in withdrawal requests since the policy became public. Current transgender students say they feel betrayed by the administration. The college has not yet announced whether it will reconsider the decision.