Pittsburgh, PA: (Jun-29-07) A class action lawsuit was brought against Slippery Rock University (SRU) by twelve women athletes, who protested that the university had deleted three women's varsity teams it had cut in violation of Title IX. A settlement, negotiated in two stages, requires SRU to comply with Title IX's equal participation and equal treatment requirements. The settlement aims at achieving equity through major investments in the SRU's women's varsity programs, establishment of gender-equitable policies, institution of prospective budgeting of all athletic expenditures, and provision of information to plaintiffs' counsel.
Further, the settlement included policies mandating gender-equitable treatment regarding uniforms, travel, equipment, publicity, trainers, coaches' compensation, and access to automobiles for recruitment by coaches and the creation of a $300,000 fund to be spent over 3 years on women's athletics to overcome the effects of historical conditions that have limited women's athletic participation. The settlement came less than 10 months after US Chief District Judge Donetta Ambrose ordered SRU to reinstate the three women's varsity teams it had cut in violation of Title IX. [PR NEWSWIRE: VARSITY DISCRIMINATION]
