The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into several schools nationwide, including the University of Nevada, over alleged Title IX violations.

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

The complaints assert that these entities, which range from K-12 school districts to postsecondary education institutions to state departments of education, maintain policies or practices that discriminate on the basis of sex by permitting students to participate in sports based on their ‘gender identity,’ not biological sex. The Dept. of Educations says these policies jeopardize both the safety and the equal opportunities of women in educational programs and activities.

“In the same week that the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the future of Title IX, OCR is aggressively pursuing allegations of discrimination against women and girls by entities which reportedly allow males to compete in women’s sports. Time and again, the Trump Administration has made its position clear: violations of women’s rights, dignity, and fairness are unacceptable,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey. “We will leave no stone unturned in these investigations to uphold women’s right to equal access in education programs—a fight that started over half a century ago and is far from finished.”

The following entities are currently under investigation:

* Jurupa School District (CA)

* Placentia-Yorba School District (CA)

* Santa Monica College (CA)

* Santa Rosa Junior College (CA)

* Waterbury Public Schools (CT)

* Hawaii State Department of Education (HI)

* Regional School Unit 19 (ME)

* Regional School Unit 57 (ME)

* Foxborough Public Schools (MA)

* University of Nevada – Reno (NV)

* Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District (NY)

* New York City Department of Education (NY)

* Great Valley School District (PA)

* Champlain Valley School District (VT)

* Cheney Public Schools (WA)

* Sultan School District No. 311 (WA)

* Tacoma Public Schools (WA)

* Vancouver Public Schools (WA)

In response, the University of Nevada, Reno tells 2 News Nevada: 

"As of this (Wednesday) afternoon, the University has not received any correspondence from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. If we do receive any correspondence, we will review and respond appropriately through the proper legal and administrative channels.

The University remains committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and respectful campus environment for all of our students. We also recognize and uphold our responsibilities under state and federal law, and we will continue to act in accordance with the U.S. Constitution."

(Department of Education contributed to this report.)