A new settlement was reached late last month in a Title IX case against Slippery Rock University that was originally filed in 2006 and settled in 2007. Plaintiffs in the original suit filed a motion in federal court to have the case reopened in June 2009 on the basis that the university had failed to comply with the provisions of the 2007 settlement, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The original suit was filed because the school cut the women’s water polo and swimming programs. Under the new settlement, Slippery Rock is required to make further improvements to the softball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, and weight lifting facilities; give equal access to an enclosed batting cage and weight rooms; and buy equipment for women athletes including batting helmets and weights. Additionally, the school must provide new Title IX training for all athletes, coaches and athletic staff, reported PR Newswire. The original settlement in the case ordered the school to reinstate the women’s water polo and swimming teams, which had been eliminated, and found that the school intentionally discriminated against its female student-athletes by eliminating the teams. Initially, the field hockey team was also eliminated, but was reinstated after lawyers for the students informed the school of their intentions of challenging the cuts under Title IX. Five men’s sports teams were also eliminated at the time in an attempt by the university’s president to cut the school’s budget deficit.
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