The Equal Protection Project filed a civil rights complaint on September 26, 2025 against Fordham University, alleging that its “Girl Boss” undergraduate and graduate business programs discriminate against male students in violation of Title IX. The programs, branded Undergraduate Girl Boss and Graduate Girl Boss, provide networking, leadership training, and career development exclusively for women or “female‑identifying” students, according to the complaint.
The complaint argues the programs violate both the letter and spirit of Fordham’s nondiscrimination commitments and federal law. It states the women‑only framing sends an unmistakable message that men are not welcome in these opportunities. The filing cites “signal effect” doctrine: even indirect or promotional language that conveys a preference is actionable if it deters potential applicants.
Fordham’s programs are officially sponsored student organizations. The complaint notes that in the graduate version, male students are excluded from certain leadership roles such as membership on the Junior Board. The founders of the complaint assert that “affinity groups” cannot be used to bypass equal access obligations when a university accepts federal funding.
The Equal Protection Project has challenged more than 550 discriminatory programs at over 120 colleges and universities, and is increasingly focusing on sex discrimination under Title IX as well as race and national origin claims.
