As the nation continues to adjust to new changes in the federal government, one recent ruling directly affects Slippery Rock University as a public institution.
On January 9, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky ruled in State of Tennessee v. Cardona that Former President Biden’s Title IX revisions made in April 2024 exceeded the Department of Education’s authority and violated the constitution. The April 2024 Final Rule created new protections for pregnant individuals, changed the process for investigating sexual harassment, and stated that discrimination on the basis of sex would encapsulate discrimination on the basis of one’s gender identity or sexual orientation.
This differs from the Supreme Court of the United States’ Bostock ruling in 2020, that enshrined that transgender individuals would be included when it came to discrimination on the “basis of sex” for Title VII. While both Title VII and Title IX concern sexual discrimination, Title VII regards employment and workplace protections, while Title IX regards educational environments.
What does this mean for Slippery Rock University?
As Slippery Rock University receives funding from the federal government, it must adhere to federal law regarding Title IX, in which SRU must adhere to the previous 2020 guidelines.
Due to SRU receiving federal funding, this means they must adhere to President Trump’s executive order to limit competition in women’s sports to athletes assigned female at birth only.
NCAA President Charlie Baker said during an address to Congress that currently there are less than 10 transgender athletes in the NCAA, which comprises over 520,000 collegiate athletes.
Following the Title IX changes, Slippery Rock University revised its Code of Conduct to reflect the new policy.
Slippery Rock University released a statement that read:
“As a public institution, Slippery Rock University is a place for all people to thrive. This may include individuals with accessibility and mobility limitations, socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, women and gender minorities, LGBTQIA+ communities, and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and many others. I reaffirm the President’s [Dr. Karen Riley] commitment to our vision, mission, and values that make Slippery Rock an exceptional university. These values include Community and Belonging as we champion diversity, support divergent ways of thinking, and offer an inclusive experience so that our students, faculty, staff, and alumni consider SRU their ‘extended family’; Civic-Mindedness as we encourage students, faculty, and staff to be civically aware and socially responsible; and Transformation, and the opportunities we present through intentional academic and experiential programs that nurture discovery, student growth, and critical thinking. To members of SRU’s LGBTQIA+ community and their allies, know that our commitment to our values is our commitment to you. The Administration is resolute in its support of our non-discrimination policy that commits our campus to be “free from discrimination and harassment based upon race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability and/or veterans’ status.”
The Rocket contacted Slippery Rock University Dean of Students Karla Bonner, but she was unavailable for comment.
SRU Students React
On March 4, several students voiced their opinions on the new changes at a protest organized by the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance. Students extended their concerns to other diversity initiatives that are facing heavy scrutiny from the Trump Administration and.
