Gender Equity in Intercollegiate Athletics

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Item #II-2
April 2, 2002
GENDER EQUITY IN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
Submitted for: Information.
Summary: The attached report is presented in accordance with
state statute, which authorizes institutions of higher education in
Illinois to grant tuition waivers for the purpose of attaining gender
equity in intercollegiate athletics, and requires the Board of Higher
Education to report to the Governor and the General Assembly on
the use of gender equity tuition waivers and the progress made in
achieving gender equity in intercollegiate athletics.
Currently, six universities -- Chicago State University, Eastern
Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois
University Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville,
and Western Illinois University -- utilize gender equity waivers.
These institutions awarded 543 gender equity tuition waivers in
fiscal year 2001 with a total value of $1.4 million.
The use of gender equity tuition waivers has helped Illinois public
universities address federal Title IX requirements by providing
opportunities for male and female athletes, and by assisting with the
equitable distribution of resources among genders. Comparisons to
fiscal year 1995, the year prior to the authorization of gender equity
waivers, show progress has been made in both the number of females
participating in athletic programs (an increase of 56.6 percent) and
the resources dedicated to female athletic programs (an increase of
82.3 percent in expenditures).
While progress has been made in addressing issues related to gender
equity, there is room for continued improvement. Female students
comprise 52.6 percent of full-time undergraduate enrollments, while
expenditures for female athletic programs comprise 37.9 percent of
total athletic expenditures and 43.7 percent of athletic financial aid is
awarded to females.
Action Requested: None.