Following the Department of Justice finding that North Carolina’s HB2 law violates federal statute, two pro-LGBT groups are urging public universities and colleges to stop implementing the measure or face “severe legal and financial risk,” reports Colin Campbell:

Human Rights Campaign and Equality North Carolina sent a letter to 75 community college presidents and chancellors. The letter explains the federal order issued earlier this week that called on the state to stop the law’s provision on transgender bathroom use, which the department says violates the violates the Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

“We therefore urge you to reverse its implementation and advocate broader state compliance as well,” the letter says. “This is not only the right thing to do, it is the law.”

A statement this week from UNC system president Margaret Spellings said that leaders “take this determination seriously and will be conferring with the governor’s office, legislative leaders, and counsel about next steps and will respond to the Department by its May 9 deadline.”