Butler U. Settles to Resolve Title IX Review

Butler University has agreed to resolve concerns about gender equity in athletics raised in a compliance review by the U.S. Department of Education. The university will either demonstrate that it is already meeting female athletic interests, or submit a plan to do so, under the agreement. The review found that Butler's student body is 59.6 percent female. In contrast, female athletes make up only 36.5 percent of Butler athletes, and women receive only 53.4 percent of athletic scholarships. The agreement with the Education Department "does not require or encourage the elimination of any university athletic teams and that it is seeking action from the university that does not involve the elimination of athletic opportunities. The agreement also states that nothing in the agreement requires Butler to cut the amounts of athletic scholarships it offers to either sex, and that any such cuts are discouraged," according to a department statement. (Note: The headline on this article has been changed to clarify that the review was not prompted by a complaint.)