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Gender Equity in UC Davis Athletics
Statement of Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef
Informational Hearing
Senate Select Committee on Gender Discrimination
and Title IX Implementation
11 a.m. Friday, August 24, 2007
UC Berkeley, Clark Kerr Campus
Bldg. 14, Joseph Wood Krutch Theatre
Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef's prepared remarks:
Larry Vanderhoef
Thank you, Senator Florez.
I am Larry Vanderhoef, Chancellor of the University of California, Davis. I am joined here today by Greg Warzecka, Director of Athletics, and by Nona Richardson, Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator.
I welcome the opportunity to provide testimony and I appreciate that today's hearing is bringing important attention to Title IX.
I am proud of the UC Davis Intercollegiate Athletics program, our student-athletes, and our longstanding commitment to Title IX.
Indeed, the commitment to Title lX at Davis is not new. Immediately after passage of the law, we conducted a full and complete compliance review of our program. Since that time, we have committed ourselves to a record of expanded participation opportunities and oversight processes that are fully consistent with the compliance requirements of the law. We truly are a nationally recognized model for achieving gender equity consistent with the letter and the spirit of Title IX.
In just a moment, Greg will provide more detailed information about our program and Nona will briefly provide her perspective as a newcomer to UC Davis – a newcomer to us but a seasoned women's athletics administrator with an insightful national perspective. But, first, I'd like to mention several specific items:
As you know, Title IX compliance is based on multiple avenues of adherence, commonly described as the three-part test. This test furnishes institutions with different, though complementary paths to choose from when determining how it will provide individuals of each sex with opportunities to participate in intercollegiate athletics.
UC Davis has consistently been in compliance with Prong 2 of this test, in that we have a demonstrated history of planning, implementation and progress in providing equal participation opportunities. Though not required, we also monitor our progress in meeting the other prongs of compliance. We are very close to proportionality in the comparison of student athletes to the undergraduate student population (within 5% in 2006-07) and we have an established process of conducting surveys and seeking sports interest from our students to help guide us in responding to their interests and abilities.
Similarly, our program is guided by a campus Title IX Work Group, which has been in place consistently and in full operation since 1987 – a time when many other institutions' interest in compliance had plummeted because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Despite that non-supportive environment for equal opportunity at the national level, it was then that UC Davis appointed and empowered a Title lX Officer to act independently in reviewing our program and all areas required under Title lX. That first officer – Dennis Shimek – has just now retired. There is not a greater champion of equal opportunity than Dennis. Matilda Aidam has just stepped in as his successor and she, too, is strongly committed to issues of equity.
Beyond compliance, we at UC Davis are also fundamentally committed to the principles of gender equity. We have incorporated this commitment within the eight philosophic principles that guide our entire athletic program, with such statements as, and I quote:
“UC Davis cannot retreat from its Title IX (gender equity) progress, but must continue to expand its efforts and compliance." …and…
“UC Davis cannot reduce its broad-based program, but rather must seek to add sports."
With these principles at heart, and with review and implementation strategies in-hand, we continue to work hard to meet the spirit and letter of Title IX legislation. While there are challenges, to be sure, we are committed to listening, responding to and resolving complaints, fairly addressing the issues, and being proactive.
In fact, it was the initiative of UC Davis' Pam Gill-Fisher (our long-time and recently retired Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator) that led to a recent UC-wide meeting of Title IX officers, athletics directors and senior woman administrators. This was the first of what will now become regular convenings of this group by the UC Office of the President.
I believe that you will find from all of the records, reports and evidence provided you, that the Davis campus has a strong program and that we have been and continue to be fully committed to Title lX.
Thank you.
Last updated August 23, 2007