This is the question being posed across a wave of social media sites following an admissions decision made by one private, all women’s college in Massachusetts.

Calliope Wong, a male-to-female transgender, was rejected from Smith College because a government financial aid document registered her as a male.

In Massachusetts, as with many states, proof in the form of a court order, or surgeon’s letter indicating an individual’s sex change by a surgical procedure, is required for that individual to be considered a different gender.

Smith’s Dean of Admission Debra Shaver issued a letter addressing the issue, saying the college is accepting of transgender students, but argued because Wong’s Federal Application for Student Aid, or FAFSA, indicated her sex as male, they were unable to process her application.

This is a sensitive topic, and one that can be rationalized from multiple perspectives.

The explanation Wong received as to why her application was not processed is justifiable.

Because of unfair factors outside her control, she was told she couldn’t be recognized as the sex she identifies with and must first have sex-reassignment surgery. It was another setback in an already challenging life.

But arguments also can be made in support of Smith College’s decision.

In its 142-year history, Smith College has been an all-women’s institution.

From a biological standpoint, she would have an anatomy different than her peers.

In situations concerning communal bathrooms or roommates, Wong would put the college in uncharted waters.

But one of the few aspects of this situation no one should find fault with is the outpouring of support Wong has received, and the volumes it speaks of support of the transgender community.

Although Smith College is a delicate case, 623 schools in this country have nondiscrimination policies, and embrace the issue of gender identity and expression.

Instead of solely being devoted to teaching young minds, colleges and universities have become a test bed for furthering acceptance and human rights.

At MSU, this strive for tolerance has led to the passing of bills such as the recent preferred name policy, which allows an individual to be recognized by a different name than the one that appears on his or her birth certificate.

But as encouraging as this movement is, there still is more that can be done.

Wong’s application wasn’t processed by Smith College not because of academic reasons, but because of years of strictly enforced tradition.

If the movement observed by most universities is to continue, the once-common traditions of these schools must be looked at and allow for more individuals to have a fair shot.