Butler University in Indianapolis has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education concerning its athletics programs for women. The department was investigating whether the university discriminates against women students in the awarding of athletic scholarships and in providing an equal opportunity for them to participate in intercollegiate athletics.
According to university data, in the 2010-11 academic year, women made up nearly 60 percent of the undergraduate students. But women were only 36.5 percent of the university’s student athletes. Women did receive 53.4 percent of all athletic scholarship money.
According to the agreement, by September 1, the university has to demonstrate that it is accommodating effectively the interests and abilities of female students in order to provide them an equal opportunity to participate in sports or, if unable to demonstrate current compliance, submit a detailed plan to the Office of Civil Right to accommodate effectively the interests and abilities of female students in its athletics program over the next three academic years.
Butler must also demonstrate that during the 2011-2012 school year equal opportunities are being provided in awarding athletic scholarships to male and female athletes. Or, if the university is unable to demonstrate this, it must submit a detailed plan to ensure that by the beginning of the 2014-2015 academic year, Butler is in full compliance with its Title IX obligation to provide athletic scholarships in a non-discriminatory manner.