The Rocket

Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Steve Reed Slippery Rock University President Robert Smith informed the Student Government Association on Thursday that the university is still in compliance with Title IX, and that the number of female student athletes has increased by 10 percent. [Click to enlarge]

SRU president Robert Smith addressed on Thursday ongoing Title IX issues, assuring the Student Government Association that the university is still in compliance.

The 1972 law requires that men and women be given equal opportunities for participation in athletics and any other official activities at universities that receive federal funding.

Smith said Thursday the case has not been reopened, as The Rocket incorrectly reported last week. Smith said that SRU is in compliance with the law.

By addressing SGA, Smith said that he wanted to clarify any uncertainty involved with the Title IX issues.

"As of the 2006 Title IX decision, the number of women athletes on Slippery Rock's campus has increased by 10 percent," Smith said.

According to Smith, since the Title IX issues were settled, there has been a reduction of sports opportunities for men.

Smith said lawyers for the Women's Law Project have sent a letter to the judge presiding over the case asking that it be reopened.

The U.S. District Court, Western District, agrees that SRU is in compliance, Smith said.

Attorneys for the Women's Law Project that represents 12 SRU student athletes who filed the lawsuit were unavailable for comment on Thursday.

Smith also addressed the significant amount of construction continuing on campus.

Two new housing projects, called The Heights, are set to open in August, he said.

Boozel Dining Hall will be closed as of the fall semester for five months of renovation, and departments in Vincent Science Hall will be moving into Patterson Hall in May to make room for renovations, Smith said.

In other SGA news, SGA Vice President of Advancement Justin Lubecki announced he will step down from the senate next semester.

"I got involved in SGA because I didn't know anything about how the government association worked," Lubecki said. "I got what I can from the senate, and I didn't like all the doors that opened because of the position."

SGA President Larry Brink said that the position would be opened to the student body.

Brink also announced that SRU is a finalist for a $5,000 Pittsburgh grant.

"If we get the grant money, we plan on spending it on more trees for campus," he said.

The next SGA meeting will take place during common hour on Jan. 17.

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