Today, the California State University (CSU) filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), to protect the University against an unlawful attempt to retroactively punish San José State University (SJSU). The CSU also rejected OCR’s Proposed Resolution Agreement stemming from OCR’s Title IX investigation of the SJSU women’s volleyball team.
The CSU issued the following statement on the lawsuit against U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights:
“The federal government may not punish the CSU for conduct that complied with binding federal law and the government’s own guidance at the time.
“To be clear, the CSU vigorously disagrees with OCR’s legal position and factual findings and stands firmly in support of SJSU. SJSU followed all applicable NCAA rules and federal law in effect during the 2022–2024 SJSU women’s volleyball team seasons. The actions now being challenged were lawful and consistent with governing rules, regulations, and court precedent. Therefore, the CSU will not agree to accept the terms of the Proposed Resolution Agreement.
“The CSU remains unwavering in its commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for all students, faculty, and staff—including members of our LGBTQ+ community.
“We will continue to uphold the law while fostering campuses where all members of our community can learn, compete, and thrive.”
For more information on the lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, visit the FAQ on OCR lawsuit.
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About the California State University
The California State University is the nation’s largest four-year public university system, providing transformational opportunities for upward mobility to more than 470,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. More than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and more than one-quarter of undergraduates are first-generation college students. Because the CSU’s 22 universities* provide a high-quality education at an incredible value, they are rated among the best in the nation for promoting social mobility in national college rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. The CSU powers California and the nation, sending nearly 125,000 career-ready graduates into the workforce each year. In fact, one in every 20 Americans holding a college degree earned it at the CSU. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU newsroom.
*Transition to 22 universities in progress (Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo and Cal Maritime integrating). The integration process is anticipated to be complete by fall 2026.