Proposed Bill Shields Single-Sex College Groups from Campus Penalties

A piece of legislation called the 'Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025' is on the table, aiming to set rules for how colleges and universities treat single-sex student organizations. If an institution gets federal funding, this bill would prohibit it from taking 'adverse action' against a student or a group like a social fraternity or sorority solely because the organization limits its membership based on sex. The core idea is to protect students' rights to join these traditional groups without facing penalties from their school.

Defining the 'Do Not Touch' List

So, what counts as 'adverse action' under this bill? Section 3 lays out a pretty broad definition. It includes things you'd expect, like disciplinary actions (suspension, expulsion) or withholding financial aid. But it also covers denying opportunities like leadership positions or study abroad programs, restricting access to campus housing, or even refusing to provide recommendations or certifications needed for jobs or grad school – if the reason is tied only to the group's single-sex status. The bill also prevents schools from slapping recruitment restrictions on these groups that don't apply to other student organizations, unless there's a prior written agreement.

Campus Life Crosscurrents

This proposal tries to walk a specific line. It explicitly states it doesn't force colleges to officially recognize any social organization, nor does it prevent schools from taking action against students for actual misconduct (think hazing or academic dishonesty). It also says organizations can still regulate their own membership. However, the protections could create tricky situations for campus administrators. For instance, how does this interact with existing campus-wide non-discrimination policies, especially those addressing gender identity? The bill focuses on 'single-sex' status but doesn't deeply define it, potentially opening the door to legal debates about who qualifies for protection and whether these protections could clash with efforts to create more inclusive environments for all students, including transgender and non-binary individuals.

The Balancing Act

Ultimately, this bill attempts to carve out specific protections for members of traditional single-sex social groups within the complex ecosystem of higher education. For students in fraternities and sororities, it could mean stronger safeguards against administrative actions perceived as targeting their organizations. For university officials, it might introduce new constraints on how they apply campus policies and foster inclusivity, potentially limiting their ability to enforce rules aimed at ensuring equal opportunity or addressing concerns about exclusivity, depending on how 'adverse action' and 'single-sex' are interpreted in practice.