Sweet Briar College Bars Transgender Women Admissions

Sweet Briar College in Virginia has enacted a controversial admissions policy that bans transgender women, citing the will of its founder, Indiana Fletcher Williams, who stipulated that the institution should serve 'girls and young women'. This interpretation mandates that applicants must confirm they were assigned female at birth and identify as women, reflecting the terminology and understanding of the late 19th century. The decision has sparked significant backlash from students and faculty, with a faculty vote of 48-4 calling for the policy's reversal, arguing it could deter prospective students amid a decline in women's colleges. Critics also highlight the problematic nature of an originalist interpretation of a will that historically excluded non-white students. Despite the outcry, Sweet Briar's president insists the policy aligns with the college's tradition of single-sex education. The situation raises questions about the legal and social implications of such policies in contemporary society.