Since a 1995 lawsuit brought issues of female athletics to the forefront, Syracuse University has continued to place great importance on equality both within the bounds of Title IX and beyond.

Created in 1972, the law encompasses more than attempting to achieve equality for female athletes. It includes components such as equal access to higher education, career education, education for pregnant and parent students, employment, sexual harassment and standardized testing.

 Educational institutions that receive federal money are required to designate at least one employee as a Title IX coordinator.

For SU, that representative is Cynthia Maxwell Curtin.

As the university’s Title IX officer, Curtin, who has been in this position for about a year, has the responsibility of ensuring SU follows Title IX. She also deals with issues encompassing gender equity in education, specifically regarding sexual harassment, equity in access to programs and equity in science, technology and athletics.

Curtin, who also serves as the executive director of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services, said the idea of the law only focusing on athletics is a common misconception.

“Title IX has a much greater reach than just sports,” she said. “It covers the classrooms, too.”

Curtin said her main roles include working with faculty, students and staff to assist people with issues.

She said the university provides students with a source of information to understand and report harassment when such incidents happen in the community.

The university encourages victims or bystanders of sexual harassment to contact Curtin, who ensures that concerns are investigated. Her roles include providing interim relief — no contact orders, escort services and counseling resources — if it’s requested and needed, according to the Department of Public Safety’s website.

The website also lists DPS, the Counseling Center, Hendricks Chapel chaplains and the Advocacy Center as other ways to get help.

The university also implemented a new online alcohol education program for incoming freshmen. This program now includes a sexual assault component.

Curtin noted her job has given her the opportunity to work with talented people across campus in a “joint effort of commitment to a culture of respect.”

While there have been no major problems associated with Title IX recently, Syracuse has run into legal issues in the past.

In May of 1995, eight female athletes sued SU, claiming the university was discriminating against female athletes and violating Title IX.

The students also asked a judge to immediately change women’s lacrosse from a club to a varsity sport.

The case originally resulted in a ruling in favor of SU. Then, there was a subsequent appeal and partial case reversal. By the time of the reversal, the university had already created women’s varsity lacrosse and soccer teams — with softball on the way.

Curtin, the Title IX compliance officer, said the case reflects the university’s commitment to creating equal opportunities for both men and women.

Renee Baumgartner, deputy director of athletics at SU, said in a June 24, 2012, Post-Standard article that she experienced challenges when starting the women’s golf program at the University of Oregon, such as driving 12 hours to purchase team uniforms and building the team on one scholarship.

Baumgartner said in The Post-Standard article she hopes “women of today” appreciate the efforts of those before them in setting a strong foundation for female athletics.

Though the university has remained compliant to Title IX during Curtin’s time at SU, this is not the case at other universities. Thousands of schools across the United States don’t comply with the law, according to TitleIX.info.

The U.S. government has launched various investigations against schools such as Yale University and Dartmouth University, according to an Aug. 1 NCC News article.

Curtin said it’s important for students to be aware that assistance is always available to those who are in need or to those who feel discriminated against.

 Said Curtin: “Problems can be fixed.”

ldstei01@syr.edu

 

Published on September 3, 2013 at 2:23 am

Contact Levi: ldstei01@syr.edu