Western Carolina University faces federal investigation after allegedly housing a male student in a female dormitory and retaliating against a female student who dared to speak out against the violation of women’s privacy rights.
Key Takeaways
- The Department of Education has launched a Title IX investigation into Western Carolina University for alleged violations of sex-separated space requirements.
- Student Payton McNabb claims she faced retaliation from the university after complaining about a male in a women’s bathroom facility.
- Documents from Speech First suggest WCU deliberately resisted complying with President Trump’s executive order mandating sex-separated facilities.
- WCU claims compliance with federal regulations despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
- The case highlights growing tensions between traditional women’s rights protections and progressive gender identity policies.
Federal Investigation Targets Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University (WCU) has come under federal scrutiny as the Department of Education launches a Title IX investigation into alleged violations of women’s privacy rights. The investigation centers on two serious allegations: that the university permitted a biological male to reside in a female dormitory and then retaliated against a female student who raised concerns about males in women’s intimate spaces. These actions potentially violate President Trump’s executive order mandating sex-separated facilities in federally funded institutions, a directive designed to protect women’s safety and privacy rights.
“WCU’s reported contempt for federal anti-discrimination laws and indifference to, and retaliation against, girls who have spoken up about males invading their intimate spaces is simply unacceptable,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor
The investigation gained momentum after Speech First, a campus free speech organization, published internal communications suggesting the university deliberately refused to align its policies with federal requirements. These documents portray an administration more concerned with progressive gender ideology than with compliance with federal law or the protection of female students’ rights to single-sex spaces. Despite mounting evidence of non-compliance, WCU continues to insist it follows all applicable regulations.
Student Faces Retaliation for Speaking Out
At the center of this controversy is Payton McNabb, a former WCU student and current ambassador for the Independent Women’s Forum. McNabb’s troubles began in September 2022 when she encountered a transgender athlete in women’s facilities, an experience that spurred her advocacy for women’s rights to single-sex spaces. Her activism escalated in 2024 when she posted a viral video documenting a transgender woman in a women’s restroom at WCU, which triggered a Title IX investigation against her that was later dropped.
“Western Carolina University is compliant with all current state and federal regulations and will continue to adjust any necessary campus policies and practices to remain in compliance with future changes,” the university stated defense
According to her legal representatives, McNabb was subjected to intimidation tactics after raising legitimate concerns about privacy and safety. Although she was eventually cleared of wrongdoing, her lawyers claim the university actively encouraged complaints against her in retaliation for challenging its policies. This pattern of behavior raises serious questions about whether WCU prioritizes ideological conformity over student rights and federal compliance.
Broader Implications for Women’s Rights
The WCU case highlights a growing conflict between traditional Title IX protections for women and girls and newer interpretations that prioritize gender identity over biological sex. Campus policies that allow biological males in female spaces have been implemented at numerous institutions across the country, often with minimal consideration for the privacy, safety, or religious concerns of female students. The Trump administration’s executive orders were specifically designed to restore the original intent of Title IX to protect women’s hard-won rights to equal educational opportunities.
“Actions speak louder than words, and the Department of Education’s commitment to protecting women and girls is second to none,” said Nicole Neily, president of Speech First.
The investigation into WCU sends a clear message that institutions receiving federal funding must comply with Title IX’s mandate for sex-separated intimate spaces, regardless of internal ideological preferences. Women’s rights advocates view this case as a crucial test of the government’s commitment to protecting female students from the erosion of single-sex spaces in educational settings. As the investigation proceeds, it will likely establish important precedents for similar cases nationwide, reinforcing that women’s privacy rights cannot be sacrificed on the altar of gender ideology.
