Campus conflict exposed at the core of SJSU's messy fight vs Trump admin over volleyball scandal - Fox News

What the report says

Fox News Digital reported that San Jose State University is facing deep internal conflict over its handling of a 2024 volleyball controversy involving Blaire Fleming and Brooke Slusser, as the university and California State University system challenge a federal Title IX investigation by the Trump administration. The outlet said it reviewed videos, documents and emails obtained from sources and through public records requests showing pressure on administrators from multiple sides.

According to Fox News, a Feb. 26 campus town hall billed around transgender rights drew pro-trans activists who criticized university leadership and urged SJSU not to accept the federal government’s proposed resolution. The report said SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson was listed as expected to attend but was absent, with two administrators present. Eight days later, on March 6, SJSU and CSU announced a lawsuit contesting the Education Department’s findings.

Fox also reported that emails reflected divided reactions from faculty, staff, alumni and donors. One professor praised the lawsuit after attending the town hall, while another employee raised concerns that university messaging did not directly address fairness and privacy issues for women. In January, before the Education Department announced its finding, a redacted donor asked to be removed from university giving lists, objecting to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.

The dispute matters because the lawsuit could influence how Title IX is applied at public universities in cases involving gender identity and athletics. Fox reported that SJSU said it takes its Title IX obligations seriously and maintains that it has followed, and continues to follow, the law.