A gender equity review, completed on September 1, 2023, revealed continuing inequalities in men’s and women’s sports at MSU. The report found gender inequities exist in the areas of financial assistance, equipment and supplies, provision of locker rooms and practice and competitive facilities, scheduling of games and practice times, provision of medical and training facilities and services, provision of housing and dining facilities and services, and support services.
The Gender Equity Report addressed the following 13 areas of gender equity: (1) athletic participation counts; (2) athletic financial assistance; (3) provision of equipment supplies; (4) scheduling of games and practice time; (5) travel and per diem allowance; (6) opportunity to receive academic tutoring and assignment and compensation of tutors; (7) opportunity to receive coaching and assignment and compensation of coaches; (8) provision of locker rooms and practice and competitive facilities; (9) provision of medical and training facilities and services; (10) provision of housing and dining facilities and services; (11) publicity; (12) recruitment of student athletes; and (13) support services.[2]
The review’s purpose was to ensure that Michigan State University is in compliance with Title IX. The review was completed by Gabe Feldman, a distinguished sports law expert.[3]
The review found that MSU is not complying with Title IX. Title IX requires universities to provide equitable athletic financial aid. 48.9% of MSU’s athletes are women; however, women athletes only received 46.3% of MSU’s athletic financial assistance, revealing a 2.6% disparity. Anything over a 1% disparity is not in compliance with Title IX.
The report also recognized substantial inequities in the area of sporting facilities. Despite large expenditures on facilities, the last facility MSU built for a women’s sports team was in 1998.
The report also found significant inequalities between the dining services provided to male athletes versus female athletes. Men’s football, basketball, and ice hockey are provided access to their own dining options. The only women’s team that is provided access to their own dining options is basketball.
Alan Haller, MSU’s Athletic Director, released a statement that the university recognizes “needed improvements for student-athlete financial aid assistance and in our athletic facilities to ensure (administrators are) providing a holistic environment for all student-athlete success.”[4]
Following this review, Gabe Feldman will work with MSU to “create a Gender Equity Plan (GEP) to address all issues of inequity identified by the gender equity review. The GEP will bring MSU into full Title IX compliance by the end of the 2026-2027 academic year, subject to extensions of time as deemed reasonable by the GERD.”[5]
See related article: https://wordpress.com/post/ublawsportsforum.com/14422
[1] Featured Image: https://www.eastlansingrotaryclub.com/event/sue-carter-msu-faculty-athletic-representative/
[2] https://msu.edu/-/media/assets/msu/docs/issues-statements/msu-gender-equity-review-report.pdf?rev=d28a45847aba4549a2a1aa1ac30b7cb6&hash=31686456B9306C919AA503F12CDD3A69
[3] https://statenews.com/article/2023/10/gender-equity-review-shows-inadequacies-inequalities-in-msu-athletics?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_featured
[4] https://statenews.com/article/2023/10/gender-equity-review-shows-inadequacies-inequalities-in-msu-athletics?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_featured
[5] https://msu.edu/-/media/assets/msu/docs/issues-statements/msu-gender-equity-review-report.pdf?rev=d28a45847aba4549a2a1aa1ac30b7cb6&hash=31686456B9306C919AA503F12CDD3A69
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