The US government has decided to stop giving $175 million in funding to the University of Pennsylvania. This is because of the university’s transgender sports policy.
The White House shared this update on Wednesday, saying the decision is part of the government’s effort to make schools follow its new rules.
The University of Pennsylvania gained national attention in 2022 when a transgender student athlete competed on its women’s swim team. The university has not yet received an official notice about the funding cut but learned about it from media reports.
This move comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month. The order bans transgender athletes from competing in female-only school sports.
Critics argue that the rule is unfair to transgender athletes. However, supporters believe it helps protect fairness in women’s sports.
A spokesperson from the university said that they have always followed the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Ivy League rules regarding student participation in sports.
“We have always followed the same rules as other universities in the NCAA and Ivy League,” the spokesperson stated.
Trump has previously warned that he may cut federal funding to universities for various reasons. These include transgender rights, diversity programs, and protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The University of Pennsylvania is now the latest institution affected by these funding cuts. It remains to be seen how the university will respond to this decision.
