The Committee worked primarily on reviewing and implementing itsrecommendations from last year's report. In particular, we tried to focus on"hot spot" areas that had produced the most concern in our interviews. Ourreport will now review all of the Title IX compliance areas as listed by theOffice of Civil Rights, noting both the substantial progress made this year aswell as areas in which we need to continue our efforts.
The 1979 Intercollegiate Athletics Policy Interpretation divides athleticsissues into three major categories to be analyzed for compliance: sportsofferings; scholarships; and everything else, which includes 11 program areas.Since Hamilton has no athletic scholarships, we will review here only the firstand the third of these.
I. Accomodations of Interests and Abilities (sports offerings)
In completion of a three-year plan, beginning next year (1996-97),Hamilton will add a women's varsity ice hockey program to its sports program(Appendix A). This is a major step in the continuing expansion of athleticopportunities for women, follows this Committee's previous recommendations, andbrings to 13 the number of varsity sports offered for women as well as for men(Appendix B).
Attached in Appendix C are the participation numbers for varsity athetics,showing that as of the current year (95-96), there remains only a 4.2%disparity between Hamilton's overall gender ratio and that in varsityathletics. With the addition of women's hockey, we would certainly expect thenumber to drop even further toward parity. The addition of women's juniorvarsity teams could also bring the College closer to complete parity.
II. Other Program Areas
The publication of the new departmental policy handbook, we believe, willaddress concerns in a number of these areas, making clear what the rules areand how matters are decided.
(1) Equipment and supplies. A number of changes were made thisyear in the athletic towel and laundry services to ensure that men and womenhave comparable service. These changes were made promptly and effectively inresponse to student concerns.
a) A new bag system has been implemented. Athletes keep the same suppliesfor the entire season.
b) Sports bras were ordered and are now in. Implementation will begin withwinter sports for 96-97.
c) A survey was done and it was found that Hamilton College uses the sametowel size as other NESCAC schools.
The Committee continues to hear unsolicited comments from some women studentsregarding different equipment quality for different teams; we anticipate thatsome of these concerns will be alleviated when policies are publicly known andthe Booster and Fundraising issues are addressed. For example, when it isknown that coaches have discretion to decide how their equipment budget isspent, students can work with coaches to prioritize purchases.
(2) Scheduling of games and practice times. We have noindications that there are any problems in this area.
(3) Travel and per diem allowances. Again, publicationof the departmental policy handbook should alleviate some concerns in thisarea. We have found no gender discrepancies in this area as regards routineteam travel. The question of "special trips," however, which is of significantconcern, is addressed later.
(4) Tutoring. We find no gender inequities in thisarea.
(5) Coaching. This year the College, in response to theCommittee's highest priority recommendation, has upgraded several positionsthat affect women's sports.
a) The position of Head Women's Volleyball and Softball Coach, AssistantDirector of Athletics has been upgraded to: Head Coach Women's Volleyball,Associate Director of Athletics.
b) The part time position of Head Coach Women's Soccer, Assistant Softballand Intramural Coach has been changed to a full time Head Coaching positionin women's sports.
c) An intermittent part time intern position for women's sports has beenchanged to: 2 full time internships.
This year we did not repeat a study of comparative salaries for men's andwomen's team coaches; this will need to be done next year.
(6) Locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities.Last year the Committee forwarded some minor concerns about locker room equity;these have been met by rotation of
