Cal Maritime severs ties with NAIA of Transgender Participation Policy

Late last week, the California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) notified its student-athletes and community that it will sever affiliation ties with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and its conference, the California Pacific Conference.

The decision officially goes into effect on June 30, 2025. According to Cal Maritime’s interim president Michael Dumont, the decision is tied to the NAIA’s new Transgender Participation Policy, which conflicts with California state law, California State University policy, and the university’s values.

He issued a public letter that detailed his reasoning. Below is an excerpt from Dumont’s letter.

No person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity,
religion, sexual orientation, or any characteristic listed or defined in Section 11135 of the Government Code or any other characteristic that is contained in the prohibition of hate crimes set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 422.6 of the Penal Code, including immigration status, in any program or activity conducted by any postsecondary educational institution that receives, or benefits from, state financial assistance or enrolls
students who receive state student financial aid.

The NAIA policy categorically bans certain student-athletes from athletic competition. CSU’s Interim Non-Discrimination Policy defines “discrimination”
as:

“Discrimination is conduct that causes harm to a Complainant based on their actual or perceived Protected Status within the CSU’s educational
programs, activities, or employment, which results in the denial or limitation of services, benefits, or opportunities provided by the CSU.”

As outlined in the Interim CSU Non-Discrimination Policy, we are committed to an inclusive and equitable community that values diversity and fosters mutual respect. All students and employees have the right to participate fully in CSU programs, activities, admission, and employment free from
discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and retaliation.

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We are exploring and reviewing all alternative conferences and competition options. This review will be informed by the future decisions of the CSU
Board of Trustees in November regarding the integration of Cal Maritime and Cal Poly. Should the integration be approved, the start of the integration
process will coincide with our departure from NAIA and Cal Pac in June 2025.

To read the full statement from Cal Maritime about leaving the NAIA and Cal Pac Conference, click here.