An Overview of Title IX
Title IX: An Overview of the Law
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.
The U.S. Department of Education gives grants of financial assistance to schools and colleges. The Title IX regulation outlines conduct that violates Title IX. Examples of the types of discrimination that are covered under Title IX include sexual harassment, the failure to provide equal opportunity in athletic programs and discrimination based on pregnancy. The Title IX regulation is enforced by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and is in the code of federal regulations (34 CFR Part 106).
Title IX states that, “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”
Title IX prohibits retaliation for filing an OCR complaint or for advocating for a right protected by Title IX. Title IX also prohibits employment discrimination, but employment complaints filed with OCR are generally referred to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Title IX: Programs and Activities
Programs and activities at universities and colleges that receive federal funds must operate in a non-discriminatory manner. These programs and activities may include, but are not limited to:
- admissions
- recruitment
- financial aid
- academic programs
- employment
- physical education
- athletics
- counseling and guidance
- discipline
- classroom assignment
- grading
- vocational education
- recreation
- housing
- student treatment and services
Title IX: Athletics
The regulation (34 CFR Part 106) implementing Title IX contains specific provisions relating to athletic opportunities. See Requirements Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for more information about the athletic requirements contained in the Title IX regulation.
In accordance with Title IX regulations, USC has designated Bobby Gist as the Title IX Coordinator for the USC System:
Bobby Gist
Executive Assistant to the President
University of South Carolina
Equal Opportunity Programs
1600 Hampton Street, Suite 805
Columbia, SC 29208
Phone: 803-777-3854
Office of Civil Rights
Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Dept. of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington DC 20202
Phone: 202-245-8300
Fax: 202-245-8301
TDD: 877-521-2172
Email: OCR.DC@ed.gov