The University of Pennsylvania will also send personal apology letters to impacted female athletes|@PennSwimDive|X

The University of Pennsylvania agreed to adopt biology-based definitions of “male” and “female” in its athletics programs following a civil rights investigation by the Department of Education.

The move aligns with the Trump administration’s Title IX interpretation, which bars transgender women from competing in women’s sports.

The inquiry focused on transgender student Lia Thomas’s participation on Penn’s women’s swim team. While the university defended past compliance, it acknowledged that some athletes may have been disadvantaged. 

As part of a resolution, Penn will restore the records and titles of female swimmers that Thomas broke. The Ivy League will also send personal apology letters to impacted female athletes.

Penn faced federal funding cuts totaling $175 million in March. It is unclear whether the transgender athlete rule will help restore funds.