Sweet Briar College, a private women’s liberal arts institution in Virginia, has made a controversial decision that has stirred both the student body and the broader community. The college has announced a change in its admission policy, effectively barring transgender women from enrolling. This shift, according to the college’s administration, is rooted in the reinterpretation of the will of the institution’s founder, Indiana Fletcher Williams, who established the college in 1900.
Williams’ will, which dates back 124 years, explicitly stated that the college was to be a place for “girls and young women.” For over a century, this phrase was understood in a broader context, adapting to the evolving understanding of gender. However, recent changes in the gender categories on the Common Application prompted the college’s board of directors to revisit this clause. After months of deliberation and legal consultation, the board concluded that the language of the will must be interpreted as it was understood at the time it was written, thereby excluding transgender women from admission.
This decision has not been received quietly. Students and faculty alike have expressed their dismay, with the Sweet Briar College Student Government Association labeling the policy as “alienating” and a reflection of the rising transphobia in the United States. The faculty, led by English professor John Gregory Brown, overwhelmingly voted to call for the board to rescind this new policy. They argue that such a narrow interpretation of the will is not only out of touch with modern values but also historically inconsistent, as the will was originally interpreted in a racially exclusive manner.
The implications of this decision are profound, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. It sets a troubling precedent for other institutions with similarly outdated legal foundations, potentially leading to a rollback of hard-won rights and recognition for transgender individuals. As society progresses toward greater inclusivity, policies like these serve as stark reminders of the resistance that still exists. The decision by Sweet Briar College, a symbol of tradition, now stands as a contentious point in the ongoing battle for transgender rights in education.
