Internal Divisions Deepen at San Jose State as University Battles Trump Administration Over Volleyball Controversy

San Jose State University has descended into organizational turmoil since the beginning of 2026, with documented instances of donor withdrawals, organized activist demonstrations, and newly surfaced allegations against its volleyball program leadership. The institution and the broader California State University system are currently engaged in litigation with the Trump administration, challenging federal investigation findings related to the university’s handling of a 2024 volleyball scandal involving players Blaire Fleming and Brooke Slusser.

A February 26 town hall held in SJSU’s engineering building revealed stark divisions over the university’s response to the federal government’s resolution proposal. The event, promoted as a “Trans Gender Rights Town Hall,” drew dozens of activists who demanded the institution reject any settlement with the Trump administration. President Cynthia Teniente-Matson was listed as an attendee but did not appear, with only two administrators representing university leadership during the emotionally charged proceeding.

Speakers at the gathering criticized what they characterized as inadequate institutional commitment to LGBTQ protections. One participant expressed frustration that administrators had allocated minimal time to address the matter, while others urged university officials to convey demands directly to Teniente-Matson. The president’s absence prompted repeated expressions of outrage from multiple speakers throughout the session.

Eight days after the town hall, on March 6, SJSU and the CSU system announced their federal lawsuit challenging the Department of Education’s investigation and its conclusions. Teniente-Matson’s announcement emphasized the university’s continued support for LGBTQ community members who had experienced threats and harassment during the ongoing controversy.

Internal communications obtained through public records requests reveal fractured perspectives within the institution. One faculty member praised the university’s legal stance, while another employee raised concerns that institutional messaging failed to adequately address fairness and privacy considerations for female athletes. University advancement officials were subsequently instructed to coordinate responses to inquiries from donors and alumni.

A donor submitted a withdrawal request approximately one month before the February town hall, citing opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. The donor, who had previously supported SJSU through The Tower Foundation, stated that allowing transgender participation unfairly disadvantaged female athletes pursuing athletic careers and recognition.

The Department of Education determined on January 28 that SJSU violated Title IX following a nearly year-long investigation. The agency proposed a resolution requiring an apology to affected players and modifications to official program records, but did not impose monetary penalties. SJSU’s risk management office subsequently expressed concerns that litigation claims could escalate given the federal findings.

Separate assault allegations against volleyball coach Todd Kress have further complicated the institutional environment. A former Fairfield University player sent SJSU a letter in October 2024 describing a 1998 hotel room incident. The former player recently disclosed that she had informed both Fairfield and SJSU of the encounter in response to accounts from 2024 team members describing intimidating and coercive conduct.

The lawsuit filed by SJSU and CSU seeks to have the Department of Education’s entire investigation vacated. On March 27, the two parties and federal officials submitted a joint proposed order designed to prevent immediate disruption of federal funding pending resolution of the case.

Separately, former player Brooke Slusser and ex-associate head coach Melissa Batie-Smoose maintain individual legal actions against the institution. Slusser’s Title IX case awaits a federal judge’s decision on motions to dismiss, delayed pending Supreme Court rulings on transgender participation in women’s athletics. The unanimous Supreme Court interpretation affirmed that Title IX does not prohibit states from maintaining sex-separate sports teams or excluding transgender athletes from women’s competition, potentially strengthening Slusser’s position. Batie-Smoose’s wrongful termination lawsuit is scheduled for oral arguments on August 21.