Title IX and Intercollegiate Athletics: Related Policies at Ithaca College
Title IX provides 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.”
Although Title IX prohibits sex discrimination campus-wide, it has been defined to apply to intercollegiate athletics in three specific areas: Participation, Scholarships and Treatment of Existing Athletes and Programs. Title IX compliance requires equity as that term has been defined under the law in each of these three areas. Ithaca College believes that all student athletes have a right to participate in an athletic program free of discrimination, including sexual harassment and retaliation. Ithaca College believes in the educational value of intercollegiate athletics and as such offers competitive NCAA Division III varsity and junior varsity athletic programs with core conference membership in the Empire 8.
Participation in intercollegiate athletics is a privilege and as such, those who participate agree to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the NCAA, Empire 8, other affiliate Conferences, and Ithaca College. These rules are comprehensive and anticipate that those who participate in athletics will demonstrate a serious commitment to their terms. Please refer to the Ithaca College Student Athlete handbook for more information. In addition to the intercollegiate level, Ithaca College offers athletics participation opportunities at the Intramural and Club sport levels. The following links provide additional information about IC athletics and recreational sports programs.
Varsity Athletics: Club and Intramural Sports:
http://bombers.ithaca.edu http://www.ithaca.edu/sacl/recsports
Participation. Title IX provides three separate avenues for compliance in relation to the accommodation of interests and abilities portion of Title IX. Students who wish to compete on a varsity sport that is not currently offered at Ithaca College may file a petition to gain varsity status for that sport. Petitions will be reviewed annually. In general, factors considered shall include overall program gender equity, student interest and ability and the availability of regional competition.
Athletic Scholarships. For Ithaca College, this area is not applicable due to the College’s NCAA DIII affiliation.
Treatment. Title IX expects athletics programs to treat its male and female student athletes equally with regard to the following areas:
a. The provision of equipment and supplies;
b. Scheduling of games and practice time;
c. Travel and per diem allowance;
d. Opportunity to receive coaching and academic tutoring;
e. Assignment and compensation of coaches and tutors;
f. Provision of locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities;
g. Provision of medial and training facilities and services;
h. Provision of housing and dining facilities and services;
i. Publicity;
j. Recruitment.
Equity in this area means that there is equality when assessing how men as compared to women are treated in the aggregate. For example, men and women that play the same sport would not necessarily receive the same benefits but that an equitable number of men and women across the programs are treated alike. Also, because sports differ, they may for example require different gear, medical attention, and the assignment of an unequal number of coaches. Accordingly, given the unique features surrounding sports, Ithaca College believes that student athletes should be treated equally.
No matter the source of the funds used to support student athlete activities and treatment (e.g., fund-raised, donated, contractually-secured), Ithaca College will treat student athletes equitably in support of their participation.
Ithaca College Title IX Coordinator:
Traevena Byrd
Associate Counsel & Director Equal Opportunity Compliance
320 Peggy Ryan Williams Center
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-3909
tbyrd@ithaca.edu
Ithaca College Title IX Deputy Coordinator for Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in Athletics:
Michelle Manning
Assistant Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
35 Hill Center
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-5708
mmanning@ithaca.edu
Ithaca College Title IX Deputy Coordinator for Sexual Assault:
Laura Durling
Assistant Director for Administrative Services
Public Safety and Emergency Management
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 274-3353
ldurling@ithaca.edu
Other resources:
Ithaca College Title IX:
http://www.ithaca.edu/eoc/title9/
Office for Civil Rights:
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/tix_dis.html
