On August 1, a new NCAA rule will take effect that allows college athletic programs in the five "power" conferences to increase athletic scholarships to cover the full cost of attendance by providing athletes with a stipend to cover living expenses beyond tuition, books, and room. Will these new … [Read more...]
OCR’s Latest Report to the President, the Secretary of Education, and Congress
This week the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights released its latest biannual report to the President, Secretary of Education, and Congress summarizing its work in fiscal years 2013 and 2014. The report addressed OCR's efforts to enforce not only Title IX, but also Title VI … [Read more...]
Court Dismisses Title IX Case of Student Suspended For Sexual Assault
Last Friday I blogged about a Title IX case filed against Columbia University by a student who prevailed in a disciplinary hearing for sexual assault but was subsequently and allegedly harassed as a result of his accuser's public protest. But Columbia University was also in the news last week … [Read more...]
Student Accused of Sexual Assault Sues Columbia
Yesterday, Columbia University student Paul Nungesser sued the institution, alleging that it is liable for harassment that he experienced in the wake of a fellow student's accusations that he sexually assaulted her. The university did not find Nungesser responsible for any assault, and his accuser, … [Read more...]
OCR Issues Guidance on Title IX Coordinators
Today the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights issued guidance reminding educational institutions of their obligation to designate a Title IX Coordinator. This has been a requirement since the initial Title IX regulations promulgated in 1975, but far too often we read about … [Read more...]
Ohio State Hockey Coach Resigns Over Harassment Complaints
Ohio State's women's hockey coach has resigned in lieu of being fired for misconduct that included sexual harassment of his players. The university reportedly commenced investigating Nate Handrahan last November after receiving an anonymous complaint from a teacher or instructor that one of his … [Read more...]
Another Litigation Roundup
Here are some updates in various cases where Title IX is being used to challenge sexual harassment and sexual assault in high schools: In Michigan, a former student has filed a Title IX lawsuit against the Traverse City Area Public Schools, alleging that the school district was indifferent to … [Read more...]
What should we take from Miller’s firing?
This post will start cynical (it has not been a great week for discrimination against women in sports) but I will try to end on an up(ish) note. So we can now add to the list of things that will get female coaches fired/dismissed/forced into retirement: having too high of a salary. This joins … [Read more...]
Court asked to reconsider NU lawsuit
The student whose lawsuit against Northwestern University was dismissed last month has asked the court to reconsider or vacate its decision based on new evidence. The initial dismissal was due to a lack of evidence that NU showed deliberate indifference in responding to the student's report of … [Read more...]
Lesbian Basketball Players Sue Pepperdine
Two basketball players sued Pepperdine University this week, alleging that their coach and their academic advisor harassed and discriminated against them on the basis of their sexual orientation and the perception that they were in a relationship with each other. The lawsuit filed by Haley Videckis … [Read more...]