Gender equity in sports is an emerging issue that affects females in the pursuit of opportunities as athletes or in pursuit of coaching and administration of athletic programs.

Slippery Rock University will continue to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which is the principal federal gender equity legislation that applies to intercollegiate athletic programs.  In addition, the university affirms the gender equity definition developed by the NCAA Gender Equity Task Force and the recommendations for gender equity from the Pennsylvania State Association Conference. 

The following goals have been established to ensure the continuous movement toward equity in men’s and women’s athletic programs. 

GOAL:  Athletic financial assistance available to male and female athletes will continue to
move toward equity between women and men enrolled within the undergraduate student body.

STRATEGY 

• A five-year athletic strategic fund-raising plan is being developed to allocate an equitable percentage of recruitment monies to women’s athletics to assist achievement of proportional participation rates by women athletes.  (Ensure that the minimum standard for scholarship allocation remains available for female athletes.) 

 STRATEGY 

• Develop a five-year, aggressive recruitment plan/program for female student athletes.  Periodically survey the student body to ascertain whether or not intercollegiate clubs and intramural programs are accommodating student’s needs.

GOAL:  Ensure that resources available (equipment and supplies) for men’s and women’s athletic programs must continue to move toward equity in: 1) quality, 2) quantity, 3) suitability, 4) maintenance and replacement and 5) availability.

STRATEGY

• A systematic annual evaluation of the provision of medical services and training facilities will be to ensure gender equity for men’s and women’s athletic programs.   

GOAL:  The provision of housing and dining facilities and services will be equitable for men’s and women’s athletic programs

STRATEGY  

• The athletic department will monitor the university policy for housing and dining facilities and services. 

GOAL: The sports information director will increase efforts to promote women’s athletics and ensure that the quantity and quality of publications and other promotional devices are equitable for men’s and women’s athletic programs.

 STRATEGY 

• A systematic evaluation will be conducted on an annual basis to ensure that the sports information services are equitable. 
• Encourage women to increase their participation on campus wide committees.
• Develop campus programs that focus on the personal and professional development of women students, staff and faculty.