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SGMA Applauds Senate Directive to Education Department on Intent of Collegiate Sports Participation Surveys

Posting of Clarification Designed to Avoid Confusion on Interest in Sports Programs and Ensure Title IX Compliance

In the recently approved 2007 funding bill for the Department of Education, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee included language targeting the Department of Education's proposal to allow institutions to use surveys as a measurement of interest in sports programs. The Senate language urged the Department to provide public notice on the use and intent of surveys by posting clarification of its survey policy on the Department's website.

The new language is the Senate's second survey directive to the Department of Education in two years. In 2005, the Senate requested additional clarification on surveys to ensure they are used only to provide guidance and that a 'non-response' not to be interpreted as 'not-interested' unless the institution takes additional measures to obtain a valid response to each question.

The Senate action is in response to a March 2005, Education Department announcement that surveys would be the third part of a three part test to determine student interest in sports programs. The surveys are to be used in conjunction with other methods including interviews with coaches and students and participation rates in area high school, community, club and intramural programs.

The March 2005 announcement was viewed as a threat to non-revenue producing programs. Among the programs negatively impacted though the survey process were many women's sports that were offered to comply with Title IX. The Senate action is designed to protect the sanctity of Title IX by ensuring women are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in collegiate sports.