Transgender admissions policies at women's colleges

The policies at each institution vary.[5] Some, such as Hollins University,[7] Cedar Crest College,[8] and Historically Black Women's Colleges Spelman College[9] and Bennett College,[10] only admit students who live and identify as women, regardless of their gender assignment at birth, but allow admitted students who come out as another gender to continue their studies and graduate.

By contrast, Mills College, the first women's institution to adopt "a formal admissions policy regarding transgender and transitioning," does accept trans men who have not changed their legal gender markers.[10] Agnes Scott College admits "students who were assigned female at birth, as well as those who were assigned male or female at birth, but who now identify as female, transgender, agender, gender fluid or non-binary."[11]

Ultimately, the differences between the policies are determined by the individual institution's definition of womanhood and their varying degrees of inclusivity and/or exclusivity extended to the transgender community.[12]

Although the exact number of trans women attending women's colleges nationwide is unknown, responses to the revised admissions policies have garnered mixed reactions over the past four years. Mills College, the first women's college to welcome trans students, reports approximately 8% of over 700 undergraduate students identify as transgender.[13] Despite the low visibility of trans women at women's colleges, these institutions continue to face backlash and criticism, specifically from alumnae, who often believe the policies disregard and veer away from the core mission and purpose of women's colleges. Although majority of alumnae, current students and the institutions themselves agree women's colleges were created to educate and empower women, the discrepancies in defining and labeling womanhood fuel the differences in opinions and the revised policies themselves.[12]

Furthermore, with the introduction and adoption of trans-inclusive admissions policies on these campuses, additional challenges include the day-to-day implementation of the policy, such as adequately providing academic and residential resources for trans students while ensuring a welcoming and inclusive collegiate environment.[14] Trans students even face the possibility of potential physical harassment and other forms of discrimination on traditional college campuses.[15]