Kenya, March 23 -- The University of Maine System (UMS) has agreed to prohibit men from participating in women's sports, aligning with an executive order from President Donald Trump, following a temporary pause in federal funding.
The decision, announced on March 23, 2025, ensures the university system's continued access to critical financial support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The move comes after weeks of tension between Maine officials and the Trump administration, sparked by the president's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order, signed in February.
The order mandates that educational institutions receiving federal funds comply with Title IX by barring biological males from competing in female athletic categories, a policy Trump has championed as a defense of fairness and safety in women's sports.
Initially, Maine resisted the directive, with Governor Janet Mills and the Maine Principals' Association citing the state's Human Rights Act, which protects gender identity rights.
However, the USDA's decision earlier this month to suspend funding to UMS-amounting to $30 million in fiscal year 2024-prompted a swift reversal.
The university system, comprising seven campuses, confirmed its compliance after a Title IX review, stating it adheres to both federal law and updated NCAA regulations barring transgender women from women's sports.
"We are relieved to resolve this matter and maintain our federal funding," said UMS Chancellor Dannel Malloy in a statement.
"Our priority remains providing world-class education and supporting our rural communities."
The USDA praised the decision, noting that UMS's compliance ensures "equal opportunities for women and girls in safe and fair sports." The agency warned that any misrepresentation could lead to severe financial or legal consequences.
The shift marks a significant victory for the Trump administration's push to enforce the executive order nationwide.
It follows a heated exchange in February between Trump and Mills at a White House governors' meeting, where the president threatened to withhold Maine's federal funds, prompting Mills to retort, "See you in court."
While the state's Department of Education faces ongoing scrutiny, UMS's compliance sidesteps further federal penalties for now.
Critics, including local transgender advocates, decried the decision as a step backward for inclusivity. "This sets a troubling precedent," said Alex Drew, a community leader in Augusta.
"It's a loss for students who just want to compete as themselves." Supporters, however, hailed it as a necessary measure to protect female athletes.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.