Slippery Rock Settles Title IX Lawsuit

University will set aside $300,000 to be used over three years on women's sports

April 10, 2007

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Slippery Rock University settled a Title IX lawsuit, agreeing to set aside funds to enhance women's sports and be monitored over three years to ensure it complies with a federal law requiring equal opportunities for female athletes.

As part of the settlement reached Friday, the university will set aside $300,000 to be used over three years on women's sports.

A dozen female Slippery Rock athletes sued the school last year after it decided to cut eight sports - including women's field hockey, water polo and swimming - to save $350,000. The school later decided to keep field hockey, but members of the women's swimming and water polo teams challenged the cuts in a federal lawsuit.

U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose ruled in July that the school must reinstate women's water polo and swimming. She said university President Robert Smith was wrong not to consider compliance with Title IX.

The school reinstated women's swimming and water polo.

"The school has agreed not to treat their women athletes as second-class citizens and they deserve credit for this settlement as well," said Susan J. Frietsche, attorney for the female athletes. "We will be keeping track of how well Slippery Rock does in treating women equally."

The message left for a university spokesman was not immediately returned Tuesday.

Slippery Rock, located about 50 miles north of Pittsburgh, has approximately 7,600 students.