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Thursday, February 28, 1974
University Daily Kansan
Mediation Board Studying Women Athletes' Complaint
Lester's Note: This is the second in a three-pair match on women's in-ground athletic activities.
By BETH RETONDE Kansan Staff Reporter
A complaint filed by some women athletes that the University of Kansas discriminates on the basis of sex is being studied by an affirmative action mediation
Although the specific charges in the
complaint won't be revealed by affirmative action, the complainants have charged that the University has denied them equal opportunity because of their sex.
The affirmative action plan, adopted by KU a year ago, calls for official support of women's intercollegiate athletics, according to Gilman, director of哎灸
"An adequate support structure for
women's intercollegiate programs shall be recommended to the Board of Regents including provisions . . . adequate to the functioning of such programs."
The official statement says:
The affirmative action procedure for hearing complaints and charges against the University is open to anyone who thinks he has been discriminated against, Gillham said.
An adviser is appointed to counsel and represent the complainants and if the
Clearing House Places Volunteers
People who want to do volunteer work can get placement assistance at the Volunteer
The clearing house channels people who have a variety of talents and interests into University and community agencies, Janet Wilden, Prairie Village senior and member of the clearing house staff, said recently.
"People who are in psychology, sociology biology, business, education and just about anything you can think of volunteer," she said.
Sue Overman, St. Louis, Mo., senior and public relations manager for the clearing house of the department.
cerned mainly with finding jobs for volunteers.
Volunteers have been guided into such programs as Headquarters Crisis Center, Audio. Ready Service and the Big Brother Big Sister program.
Ten student volunteers staff the clearing house, and KU professors and community people are on its advisory board. The clearing house was established in 1966.
Volunteers who work with certain agencies can receive University credit. Overmann said he stressed that the training work for the experience, not for the credit.
After the clearing house places a
volunteer, checks are made periodically to see whether the volunteer is still active
Although no special talent or ability is required for most jobs, some agencies are looking for specialists, Overman said. And agencies require volunteers to have cars.
Kansas Staff Photo by BILL KERR
Practice Makes Perfect
There are more openings than volunteers.
"There is a big need for the Big Brother program. We really need big brothers who are willing to devote some time," she said.
KU swimming coach Dick Reason姆, over a clear eye on dive Sirve King, Overland Park junior, during practice yesterday. The Jayhawk swimming team is preparing to
defend its title in the Big Eight championships March 7-9 in Boulder, Colo. KU has won the last six Big Eight swimming and diving championships.
Volunteers also are needed for the Teen Lounge, a recreational program for adolescents. The volunteers help teenagers with any problems they may have, she said. It is sometimes difficult for the agencies to volunteers to make firm commitments.
The clearing house has offices in Room 18 in the Kansas Union and in the lobby of the building.
Saturday, March 2
9-midnight
BOOGIE
correction
Kiehl Rathbun, Lawrence second-year law student, handled complaints directed to the student ambassador's office during the past month on an unofficial voluntary basis. Rathbun's duties as director of the ambassador's office ended last December.
A BAND THAT BOOGIES
Brought to You by The Music People, Ltd.
Rathub was incorrectly identified in Tuesday's Kansan as the director of the umbsman program. The Kansan also incorrectly reported that Rathub received $475 for his duties as umbsman. The position isn't salaried.
An executive order issued by Lyndon Johnson while he was president forbids sex discrimination by federal contractors. Because of this order, any company or organization that employs more than 50 percent of the employees must plan to ensure the employee's rights.
Title 9 of the Higher Education Act prohibits discrimination in educational activities. What is the question whether intercollegiate athletics was considered part of a university's educational program. The Department of Education has issued its official stand on the question.
complaint can't be resolved, the adviser requests the formation of a mediation board to further study the complaint. If the mediation board doesn't solve the question, the complainants may file formal charges with the University Judiciary.
Some preliminary drafts of regulations concerning athletic programs seem to imply that athletics is part of a university's educational function, Wheeler said.
Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act states that employment can't be deprived because of sex.
Wheeler said this law had implications for the women's intercollegiate athletic program because a situation might arise in which a student would be to be a coach because she was a woman.
The right of women's athletics to receive equitable support from the University is based on several federal laws and regulations and at least one state law, Louise Wheeler, associate professor of law, said yesterday.
The mediation board met last Friday and will meet again tomorrow to study the complaint filed by the women athletes, Gilham said.
The affirmative action plan also says: The University should encourage the ADA Corporation, the Endowment Association, and other athletic to provide grants-in-aid and other support to women participating in intercollegiate athletics on the same basis to
Another federal law that has implications for women in athletics, Wheeler said, is the Equal Pay Act of 1963. This law stipulates that equal pay is to be given for equal work done. This law would apply especially to women coaches, she said.
A state law against discrimination makes it illegal to *refuse*, deny, make a distinction.
tion, directly or indirectly, or discriminate in any way against persons because of the . . . sex . . . of such persons in the full and equal use and enjoyment of the services, privileges and advantages of any institute or agency of the state of Kansas . . .
Because KU is a state agency, this law would apply to all of its services and facilities, including the athletic program, Wheeler said.
Although the women athletes haven't taken their complaint to federal or state courts, they have the option of doing so, Wheeler said.
The University can lose federal funds if it
is found guilty by a court of sex discrimination, she said.
The threat of legal action and its repercussions was one reason the Kansas Board of Regents asked the House Ways and Means Committee to reinstate a $88,575 request for state funds to support women's intercollegiate athletics.
Carl L. Courter, chairman of the regents, a committee that provisions must be made for the city to accept
"I don't like the federal threat any better than any of you, but it is there and I believe that we can make provisions for competitive athletic events in order to headforcing for trouble," he told the committee.
DEADLINE!!
Remember, 5 p.m., Thursday, February 28th is the deadline to turn in your organization's Budget Request for Student Activity Fee funds to the Student Senate Treasurer's Office, 104-B, Union.
NO LATE REQUESTS WILL BE CONSIDERED
KU-Y Student Board Now Accepting Applications Position Open for Student Coordinators:
Rock Chalk
Instructional Films
Advocate Series
— Freshman Camp (Aug.-74)
Workshops
International Gift Fair
— and three student advisors
- Celebrations/Retreats
The KU-Y board is a group of students committed to the building of community programs and services for the campus at large.
Apply by March 8 at KU-Y office, 110B Union, 864-3761, between 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Attention!
PRE-MED/DENT/NURSING
The Student Association for the Combined Health Sciences will hold its first organizational meeting on Sunday, March 3,1974 from 2 to 3 p.m. in 3139-40 Wescoe Hall.
★ Brief comments by Vice Chancellor Balfour and Pre-Health adviser Dr. Adams.
★ Planned Activity: MCAT/DCAT reviews in the Basic Sciences with faculty members.
In the future: Career Advising
Information about application procedures Discussion with representatives from professional schools
Supported by Student Senate