CSU Board Meeting Erupts Over SJSU Lawsuit Against Trump Admin

Heated debate over transgender athlete policy leads to chaos at California State University trustees meeting

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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The California State University (CSU) system's board of trustees meeting on Tuesday was disrupted by a stampede of emotional residents and alumni reacting to the decision by CSU and San Jose State University (SJSU) to file a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education's findings that SJSU violated Title IX in its handling of a transgender volleyball player from 2022-24. The meeting descended into a war of words, with speakers ignoring instructions to address the board and instead addressing each other, leading the moderator to repeatedly remind them to direct their comments to the trustees.

Why it matters

The lawsuit and the Department of Education's findings have sparked a heated debate over transgender athlete policies, with advocates on both sides voicing strong opinions. The CSU board meeting reflects the broader tensions and divisions in the community over these issues, which have significant implications for the treatment and inclusion of LGBTQ students in college sports.

The details

On Friday, CSU and SJSU announced they are filing a lawsuit to challenge the Department of Education's recent determination that SJSU violated Title IX in its handling of a transgender volleyball player. At Tuesday's board meeting, many speakers ignored instructions to address the board, instead directing their comments at each other. A CSU employee criticized 'transphobia' from other speakers, while a 'save women's sports' activist told transgender people they were being 'lied to.' An SJSU alumnus expressed disappointment that the university was 'no longer welcome to women,' while a current SJSU student who heads a 'Trans Saga' club expressed gratitude for the board's decision to sue the government.

  • The CSU board of trustees meeting took place on Tuesday, March 12, 2026.
  • On Friday, March 6, 2026, CSU and SJSU announced they are filing a lawsuit to challenge the Department of Education's findings.

The players

California State University (CSU)

The California State University system, which includes 23 campuses and over 480,000 students, is filing a lawsuit against the federal government over the Department of Education's findings regarding a transgender athlete at San Jose State University.

San Jose State University (SJSU)

A CSU campus that is co-plaintiff in the lawsuit against the federal government over the Department of Education's findings regarding a transgender athlete.

U.S. Department of Education

The federal agency that determined SJSU violated Title IX in its handling of a transgender volleyball player from 2022-24, prompting the lawsuit from CSU and SJSU.

Linda McMahon

The U.S. Education Secretary who warned CSU and SJSU that they have 10 days to change their stance or risk federal funding cuts and a referral to the Department of Justice.

Cynthia Teniente-Matson

The president of San Jose State University, who disputes the Department of Education's findings and says the university is defending the integrity of the institution and the rule of law.

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What they’re saying

“The fact that I have to get up here and have to say that trans women are women and that's what I have to use my time to do is absurd. Shame on you. Shame on all of you.”

— CSU employee (1010wcsi.com)

“I want to speak to anyone who is listening who is transgender or nonbinary. You've been lied to. They're making money off of your body. If you're taking cross-sex hormones, you're harming yourself. You're permanently harming yourself. And just remember your mother and your father love you more than anyone in the world.”

— Beth Bourne, Prominent California 'save women's sports' activist (1010wcsi.com)

“I'm so disappointed that Cal State is no longer welcome to women. I'm here to support Title IX and state a basic truth: Males cannot become females. Everyone understands this in sports.”

— SJSU alumnus (1010wcsi.com)

“As a transgender student who is in his third year at SJSU, I'm asking you, please listen to us, and please keep protecting transgender students.”

— SJSU student, Head of 'Trans Saga' club (1010wcsi.com)

“This is CSU-sanctioned sexual abuse of the women you are obligated to protect. Your internally inconsistent Title IX and DHR guidelines that prioritize gender identity over sex has created the hostile environment unfolding before you now, but most importantly for the 260,000 women enrolled on your campuses.”

— Alison Foote, Treasurer, Independent Council on Women's Sports (ICONS) (1010wcsi.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide within 10 days whether to allow the CSU and SJSU lawsuit against the federal government to proceed or to force the universities to comply with the Department of Education's findings.

The takeaway

The heated debate at the CSU board meeting reflects the deep divisions in the community over transgender athlete policies and the broader tensions around LGBTQ inclusion in college sports. The lawsuit filed by CSU and SJSU against the federal government sets the stage for a high-stakes legal battle that could have significant implications for how transgender athletes are treated in the future.