NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Smith College is under federal scrutiny after the Department of Education opened a Title IX investigation for admitting transgender women.

Smith is an all-women’s college in Northampton and like most in the U.S., they do admit all women.

In a statement released Monday, the Department of Education said it was investigating Smith for admitting “biological men.”

Now, students are reacting and expressing outrage, claiming that Smith’s values are not being reflected. They’re looking for the college to speak out and support their trans students.

“I think it’s an important issue that Smith stand up for it now that the challenge has been issued, but I think in an ideal world this wouldn’t be an issue,” said Senior Una Fonte.

“It feels cruel and ironic that civil rights laws would be sort of twisted and co-opted to promote hateful agendas,” said Senior Lucinda Holland. “I think that as a community, we really want to rally around our trans friends and classmates.”

While Smith is unable to comment on active federal investigations, students are hoping that the school is ready for a fight down the road.