Update on Gender Equity in Athletics

Gender equity in education is required under Title IX of a 1972 act by Congress that states, No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Title IX and enacts regulations for complying with the statute. While the statute itself is rarely questioned, its application to college athletics has been difficult and even controversial at many campuses nationwide.

Cal-NOW Decree

In 1993 the California National Organization for Women (Cal-NOW) sued the CSU system, alleging discrimination in athletics. The Board of Trustees settled the lawsuit that year by negotiating a Consent Decree that sets levels for (1) participation, (2) operating expenditures and (3) grants-in-aid for women's athletics. The levels must be achieved this year. President John Welty chairs the Consent Decree Monitoring Committee for the entire CSU system.

Corrective Action Plan

Also in the early '90s, the Office of Civil Rights selected Fresno State for a random review. In 1994 it concluded that Bulldog Athletics was out of compliance with Title IX requirements in 11 areas. The OCR and the university agreed to a detailed, five-year Corrective Action Plan. To oversee progress, President Welty appointed a Gender Equity Monitoring Committee of university staff from within and outside athletics. The university has made regular reports to the OCR, and the final report is due later this year.

Major action by the university

In order to meet all requirements under the Cal-NOW Decree and the Corrective Action Plan, Fresno State has effected some major changes. For example:

• Added women's soccer (1995-96) and women's equestrian (1996-97).
• Eliminated men's swimming and water polo (1994-95).
• Constructed a 5,500-seat softball stadium and press box (1995-97).
• Constructed a new women's locker room (1995).
• Constructed a new men's and women's weight facility (1996).
• Added new air conditioning and chairback seats for the women's basketball and volleyball gym (1995-97).
• Made equestrian facility improvements (1996-97).
• Altered the ratio of athletes from 32% female and 68% male in 1994-95 to roughly 52% female and 48% male today.
• Increased the portion of athletic expenditures devoted to women's sports from 25% in 1994-95 to an estimated 46% in 1998-99.

Remaining challenges

It appears all standards in the Corrective Action Plan and the Cal-NOW Decree will be met or exceeded this year, except one: athletic aid. The portion of athletic grants-in-aid awarded to women must be comparable to the percentage of NCAA-eligible women enrolled on campus. The aid money awarded to women has grown from 32 to 43 percent in five years. But for full compliance, it must reach about 50 percent. An athletics finance task force has recommended a plan to increase the aid awarded to women, beginning in 1999-2000. This plan is being reviewed, and after consultation with the OCR a decision will be reached. The university will submit a detailed report of its actions to the OCR and to all parties in the Cal-NOW Decree.