The passage of the landmark Title IX federal civil rights law in 1972 was a historic event that reshaped the landscape of higher education by paving the way for gender equity in all aspects of a school’s program offerings, from education to employment, as well as with respect to extracurricular opportunities, such as athletics, scholarships, internships, and more. With Title IX’s passage, any school receiving federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education was expressly prohibited from engaging in discrimination based on sex in its programs and activities.
Title IX opened multiple doors for people without regard to sex at campuses across the country, including at USC. Among our many “firsts,” we have had our first female-identifying administrators, deans, scholars, student leaders, trustees, a drum major — and Carol L. Folt, our first female president.
In honor of Title IX’s 50th anniversary, USC is celebrating the progress we have made with the help of Title IX’s scope and impact. In doing so, we also acknowledge the work that remains to be done to ensure full equity in all aspects of the university, not just based on sex, but also inclusive of gender identity and sexual orientation.
On the anniversary of the legislation, June 23, 2022, we will kick off a yearlong series of programs and events that will continue to uplift Title IX and the many areas and programs it touches, including a celebration of USC trailblazers who have paved the way in every corner of the institution as faculty, staff, administrators, students and alumni. Join us as we salute Title IX and look ahead to what the future holds for gender equity at USC.
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that was passed as part of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that receives federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
The law itself consists of the following 37-word sentence:
“No person in the United States shall, based on sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Title IX was enacted as a follow-up to the passage of Title VI and TItle VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibited discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in educational programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance, whereas Title VII prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment. However, Title VI did not prohibit discrimination based on sex, and Title VII applied only in the employment context, but not to educational institutions.
The early legislative draft was authored by Representative Patsy Mink with the assistance of Representative Edith Green. It was then co-authored and introduced to Congress by Senator Birch Bayh in the U.S. Senate, and Congresswoman Patsy Mink in the House. The legislation was passed on June 23, 1972.
Anyone who participates in or is seeking to participate in an educational program or activity that is covered by Title IX is protected. This can include students, staff, faculty, administrators, applicants, and visitors.
This legislation has impacted every aspect of educational institutions’ many complex operations, providing extensive opportunities, protections, and remedies for community members, in particular women, without regard to gender who study, work or visit the university. As a result of Title IX, opportunities in all aspects of the university were enhanced, such as more gender diversity in graduate and doctoral programs and amongst faculty positions, as well as increased collegiate participation opportunities in women’s sports. Title IX also resulted in resources and avenues for reporting and addressing concerns regarding discrimination and harassment based on sex and gender, as well as related retaliation, at the university.
Educational institutions bound by Title IX must comply with the law’s requirements. One notable requirement is that every university or institution who receives Federal financial assistance must have a Title IX Coordinator on staff who can answer questions, address concerns or be a contact to file a complaint. That function at USC has been managed in different ways throughout its history at USC and is currently handled by the Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX (EEO-TIX). The University has designated the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX (VP for EEO-TIX) to coordinate the University’s compliance with federal and state civil rights laws regarding protected characteristics, including Title IX, and other relevant laws.
USC’s Notice of Non-Discrimination prohibits discrimination and harassment based on a number of protected characteristics, which are outlined in the Notice.
The University also has a Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation that address all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of protected characteristics, including sexual and gender-based harassment, and related retaliation; sexual assault; dating violence; domestic violence; stalking; and other forms of prohibited conduct. The Policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, and third parties.
For more information about Title IX and EEO-TIX, please see Frequently Asked Questions.
EEO-TIX’s mission is to:
- Promptly and appropriately address reports of discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics and related retaliation.
- Provide supportive measures, such as reasonably available academic and workplace accommodations, with or without the filing of a formal complaint.
- Advance equity, equal opportunity, and inclusion in University programs and activities, such as admissions and employment.
- Provide prevention, education, and training programs to promote and protect the civil rights of all University community members.
Visit the EEO-TIX website for more information about how to access services, get help, understand your rights and options, and seek training for your school, group, or division.
Let Me Play: The Story of Title IX: The Law That Changed the Future of Girls in America (2005)
The Transformation of Title IX: Regulating Gender Equality in Education (2018)
An Equal Shot: How the Law Title IX Changed America (2021)
37 Words: Title IX and Fifty Years of Fighting Sex Discrimination (2022)
Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority , Making Waves Films (2008)
Not Done: Women Remaking America, PBS (2013)
Nine for IX, ESPN (2013)
Rise of the Wahine: Champions of Title IX, Dean Kaneshiro (2022)
Title IX : 37 Words that Changed America, TBS (2022)