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1998 SESSION

982822745
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 176
Offered January 26, 1998
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study gender discrimination in college sports.
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Patrons-- Ticer, Couric, Edwards, Howell, Lambert, Lucas, Marsh, Maxwell, Miller, K.G., Miller, Y.B., Mims, Norment, Reasor, Reynolds, Saslaw, Schrock, Stolle, Stosch, Trumbo, Whipple and Woods; Delegate: Hull
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Referred to the Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, Title IX of the federal Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits institutions that receive federal funding from gender discrimination in educational programs or activities; and

WHEREAS, because the requirement of equity of treatment and opportunity in Title IX encompasses academic programs and athletics, there has been a substantial increase in the number of females who have earned graduate and professional degrees, and who have received athletic scholarships; and

WHEREAS, although opportunities for female athletes have improved, according to the Sports Education Institute, fewer than 33 percent of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college athletic scholarships are awarded to female athletes, and less than 24 percent of college sports operating budgets are allocated to women's sports; and

WHEREAS, the Sports Education Institute has indicated that 92 percent of local television news sports coverage is devoted to men's sports, compared to five percent to women's sports; and

WHEREAS, a survey conducted by the Women's Sports Foundation of presidents of NCAA affiliated colleges and universities regarding female participation in college athletic programs and scholarships, and the percentage of the athletic budget spent on women's sports programs, found out of a perfect score of 4.00, the national average was 2.63, while the average for Virginia institutions of higher education was 2.70, slightly higher than the national score; and

WHEREAS, the 1997 General Assembly passed Senate Joint Resolution No. 358 to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the passage of Title IX, and to urge Virginia's colleges and universities to comply with the federal law; and

WHEREAS, gender equity is one of the most important issues in intercollegiate athletics today, and it is important to ensure that women have the same opportunities as men to participate and enjoy athletic competition; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study gender discrimination in college sports. The joint subcommittee shall be composed of nine members, to be appointed as follows: four members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections and five members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall (i) review the requirements of Title IX, relative to the impact on female participation in intercollegiate sports; (ii) determine the extent to which Virginia colleges and universities are in compliance with Title IX through a comprehensive examination of the institution's financial assistance to the women's athletic program, whether the institution accommodates women's athletic interests and abilities, using the criteria imposed by Title IX for such determination, and whether other benefits, opportunities, and treatments afforded sports participants are equivalent; and (iii) make such recommendations as the joint subcommittee may deem necessary to ensure that Virginia institutions of higher education comply with federal laws and regulations prohibiting gender discrimination.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $6,750.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. Technical assistance shall be provided by State Council of Higher Education. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1999 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.