This week marks the 40th anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The amendment states that “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.”
Though the verbiage of the amendment includes all educational activities, equality in athletics has taken the forefront for most minds. Equality doesn’t just apply to the number of women’s athletics compared to the number of men’s athletics, it also applies to athletic equipment, scheduling, medical services, locker rooms and practice facilities. In short, everything.
The government has a three-pronged approach for testing the Title IX compliance of public universities that receive federal grant money.
First, it asks: does the percentage of women who compete in athletics and have scholarships compare to the total percentage of women who make up the student population? Then, it determines if there is a demonstrated history of growing opportunities, whether it is adding new sports or expanding rosters for an under-represented gender. Finally, it asks if the university demonstrates that it doesn’t have any unmet needs to the under-represented gender population. At Portland State, this is determined by a survey.
As stated in the email to students on Jan. 23, the survey’s “purpose is to assist PSU in determining the athletic interest and abilities of its student body in order to maintain compliance with Title IX.”
The survey, running through Feb. 6, was sent from President Wim Wiewel and asks students to participate, offering an opportunity to win an iPad 2.
Ensuring that PSU is in compliance with Title IX is Jilma Meneses, chief diversity officer at PSU, and Chas Lopez, executive director of the Office of Global Diversity and Inclusion.
“We receive federal financial assistance with student loan programs and research; that’s why we’re subjected to these particular regulations. It extends beyond the athletics program. We want to make sure we are offering programs that are equitable to both sexes. By administering the survey, it allows us to hear from the students directly on what their interests are,” Lopez said.
“It’s an important and respectful process, particularly for women who have historically been marginalized in athletics. They want an equal voice and equal opportunity,” Meneses added.
If someone lodges a complaint or reports an infraction, Meneses and Lopez are the ones to hear it. “If someone files a Title IX complaint, it’s either our office or the Office of Student Life that looks into those matters. We make an assessment and appropriate sanctions would follow,” Meneses said.
Title IX has received some criticism over the years because of the loss of men’s sports and the creation of women’s sports. With programs competing for funds, many have cited Title IX as the reason for cuts to men’s programs. PSU Athletic Director Torre Chism thinks this is an unfair accusation.
“Obviously over time there have been a lot of men’s sports that have suffered cuts. You can’t pin all that on Title IX. There’s a lot of pressure as AD to fund all parts of your program and make sure you’re able to meet the things you want to do. Athletic directors want to make sure we’re providing the best opportunities. It’s a challenge to balance those and invest enough resources,” Chism said. “Schools want to continue to invest more of their funds into men’s football and basketball programs. Both have worked together to create a challenging environment, just to put all the blame on Title IX is not correct.”
PSU athletics is currently in compliance with the federal law, with six varsity men’s sports and nine varsity women’s sports.
Over the years, Chism has seen the results of Title IX, noting that the law has had an “unquestionable positive impact” on the number of women participating in sports and receiving scholarships. Chism attributes many things to the success of Title IX: “The increase in women’s ability to compete in the economic marketplace, to have lives that include life-long physical activity—it’s an amazing piece of legislation. We’re proud at PSU of the opportunities we’ve been able to give,” Chism said.
PSU will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Title IX at three separate events. From 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, there will be a feminist kickball tournament on Stott Field that is open to anyone.
From 4:30 to 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2 at the ASRC, a panel of accomplished women athletes will talk about women in sports. Noted speakers include 2006 ice hockey Olympic bronze medal winner, Kelly Tysland; Sherri Murrel, PSU’s women’s basketball coach; Diana Marsden, founder and CEO of Aries Apparel and others. There will be food, free tickets to the PSU women’s basketball game that evening and free headbands to the first 200 attendees.
Finally, on Saturday, Feb. 4, the PSU women’s basketball team faces Northern Arizona, with a post-game reception to follow.