Doesn’t Title IX only apply to athletic programs?
This is perhaps the most widely held misconception about Title IX. Athletics are not the only component of academic life governed by Title IX. Other areas which fall within the scope of Title IX include:
- Recruitment, Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Course Offerings and Access
- Counseling
- Hiring and Retention of Employees
- Benefits and Leave
Title IX also prohibits sexual harassment which includes sexual assault, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Doesn’t Title IX apply only to discrimination against women?
Historically Title IX has been used mostly by women seeking to protect their rights; however Title IX also serves to protect the rights of men. Title IX requires that males and females receive fair and equitable treatment in all areas of education.
Does that mean that all educational activities and programs must be co-ed and open to both men and women?
No, there are instances where Title IX has specifically allows for single-sex programs in a list of categories. Religious schools, traditional men’s/women’s colleges, social fraternities/sororities, youth service organizations such as, The Boy/Girl Scouts of America, and beauty pageants are included in this list.
Our mission is to create equal opportunities for an equitable and inclusive work and learning environment. Applying this knowledge and promoting this awareness will help us build a stronger and better UD. Join us for one or more of our sessions by registering at www.udel.edu/oei/knowledge-awareness/workshops.html
As prepared by the Diversity and Equity Commission and The President's Diversity Initiative
The University of Delaware's educational mission is to prepare students to live in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world. To do so, we are committed to fostering a robust educational environment that supports critical thinking, free inquiry, and an understanding of diverse views and values. We see diversity as a core value and guiding principle for our educational mission and thus must work to make diversity an integral part of everyday life on campus. To this end, we take diversity to mean both the recognition and appreciation of the different backgrounds, values, and ideas of those who comprise our campus, as well as a commitment to ensuring that all people on our campus are treated according to principles of fairness, civility, dignity, and equity. We are committed to building an educational community that understands people from different backgrounds and economic circumstances, with different needs, and from diverse personal and philosophical beliefs. We want to make all people who are part of the University feel welcome and valued in campus life.
