Title Ix

Noting that the government initiated only one of the 416 complaints filed about Title IX compliance in athletics from 2002 to 2006, the co-president of the National Women's Law Center testified Tuesday before a congressional subcommittee that stronger oversight is required.

Title IX is exactly 35 years old today and a prime example of its impact -- and accompanying challenges -- can be seen within the building boom of the Los Angeles Unified School District. The law was enacted to thwart sex discrimination, and balancing gender equity has indeed become part of the blueprint as the nation's second-largest district prepares to open 37 new high schools by 2012. For example, each gymnasium is being designed with equal access in mind, and with matching locker rooms.

Meghan Daum apparently never had a problem with sexual harassment in college, so she questions the validity of the study "Drawing the Line: Sexual Harassment on Campus" by the American Assn. of University Women in her Jan. 28 Op-Ed article, "Harassed, or just bummed?" The study found that sexual harassment is common among today's undergraduates. Yes, women are now the majority of students on campus, but that doesn't mean they are welcome. If Daum had reviewed the study further, she would have found specific findings that sexual harassment interferes with class attendance and participation.

Federal officials have come under criticism this week for issuing Title IX guidelines that some fear will undermine the 33-year-old law meant to give women equal opportunity in athletics. The U.S. Department of Education released the legal clarification Friday, advising colleges on how they can remain in compliance without adding women's teams if a student survey indicates not enough women want to play sports.

The Supreme Court strengthened enforcement Tuesday of the landmark Title IX law that bars sex discrimination in schools and colleges, ruling that teachers and coaches may challenge schools for giving girls second-class treatment without fear of being punished. In a 5-4 ruling, the high court said the law not only protected girls and women who might be victims of discrimination, but also those who sought to enforce its guarantee of equal treatment.

Lauren Cruz and her teammates on the Alhambra High School girls' softball team field grounders, catch pop flies and avoid potholes. Cruz, who plays shortstop, said she doesn't understand why her team has to play on a school field that is bumpy and cluttered with trash, weeds, holes and gym equipment, while the boys' baseball teams play on a new off-campus field that cost $900,000. "It's not fair," Cruz, 15, said. "I want the best opportunities so I can play in college."

The landmark gender equity law known as Title IX, which touched off a revolution in women's sports, came before the Supreme Court on Tuesday as the justices debated whether to protect coaches and teachers who complain that their schools or colleges fail to give girls equal treatment.

The request was coming from the White House, spokesman Ari Fleischer delivering the phone call. Donna de Varona accepted the offer, although she knew there was a better way to serve her country. "You're caught between a rock and a hard place," De Varona said. She is part of the commission formed by U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige that is reviewing Title IX 30 years after its creation. Speculation is that the review will mean a weakening of Title IX.

The co-chairman of the federal commission studying possible Title IX reforms said Saturday "there is no simple answer" for addressing all of those concerned with the impact of his final report on gender equity in college sports. Ted Leland, Stanford's athletic director, said the Secretary of Education's Commission on Opportunity in Athletics is preparing for its Jan. 29-30 conference in Washington, where it will determine the details of a final report due to U.S.

Colleges and universities would be allowed to limit the number of scholarships awarded to female athletes without regard to enrollment under the most controversial recommendation being considered by a national commission studying reform of Title IX, the landmark law that bans sex discrimination in collegiate sports.