Speak Out on Title IX Take Action!

This spring, the U.S. Department of Education released a so-called "clarification" of Title IX, which could seriously jeopardize the number of athletic opportunities available to women on campus and threatens to turn back the clock on much of the progress that has been made in increasing women’s athletic participation.

AAUW is pleased to report that work is underway by members of Congress to neutralize the clarification. To build on this work Congress needs to continue to hear from you about the importance of Title IX.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) strongly supports Title IX and opposes any efforts that would weaken its effectiveness in ensuring equal educational opportunity for all students.

Make these points to your member of Congress:

a. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination in education programs and has expanded opportunities for women in higher education including intercollegiate athletics.

b. There have been ongoing attempts to weaken enforcement of Title IX. Most recently, the U.S. Department of Education issued a letter to colleges and universities stating that they could show their compliance through use of e-mailed surveys to gauge women's interests in sports participation.

c. This is problematic because e-mailed surveys have a very low response rate. This method shifts the burden onto female students to show that the school should add additional sports opportunities for them. It also perpetuates outdated stereotypes. Men don't have to answer e-mails to prove their interest in sports – why should women?

d. I urge you to ask the Department of Education to rescind the March 17 "Additional Clarification of Intercollegiate Athletics Policy: Three-Part Test - Part Three."