WASHINGTON, March 19, 2025 – After the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiated a Title IX compliance review regarding federal funding, the University of Maine System (UMaine) has 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. Any false claim by the UMaine can, and will, result in onerous and even potentially criminal financial liability.
UMaine’s decision to side with sanity is a win for women and girls in Maine.
USDA provides substantial federal funding to recipients in Maine, including the University of Maine System and its components. Last month, USDA initiated an investigation regarding UMaine policies to assess compliance with Title IX and the President’s Executive Order after concerns arose regarding Maine’s compliance. By February 26, 2025, UMaine responded to USDA’s questions by representing to the government that UMaine does not permit males to participate in women’s sports, and that UMaine does not have males participating in women’s sports. Specifically, UMaine confirmed that they:
- Do not permit a male student-athlete to identify as a female student-athlete to establish individual eligibility for NCAA-sanctioned women’s sports.
- Do not permit a male to participate in individual or team contact sports with females.
- Comply with NCAA regulations and do not permit a male student athlete to participate in NCAA-sanctioned women’s sports.
Since February 26, 2025, when UMaine confirmed its compliance with federal law, UMaine has been able to access all federal funds from USDA. The choice for the rest of Maine is simple: protect equal opportunities for women, as required by law, or lose funding.
President Trump remains committed to protecting women’s sports and ensuring that federally funded institutions uphold Title IX and other federal laws. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will continue to enforce these protections and hold institutions accountable to safeguard female athletes.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
