The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) advised Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) on March 8 that it is investigating a complaint, which alleges the university “discriminates on the basis of sex against females in the intercollegiate athletic program.
“Specifically, the complaint alleges that the university fails to provide equal athletic opportunities to males and females with respect to the provision of travel and per diem, the assignment and compensation of coaches; locker rooms, practice, and competitive facilities; recruitment of student athletes; support services; medical and training facilities and services; and housing and dining facilities and services.”
OCR, which sits within the U.S. Department of Education, advised the university that it received the complaint on Nov. 19. The timing on the complaint seems a mirror to an investigation that began that same month by the university’s Institutional Equity and Compliance Office (IE&C).
The school’s IE&C was established in 2005. It is charged with “providing leadership and direction on campus as part of the university’s commitment to institutional equity and compliance.”
In the only statement from the university, MTSU Athletic Director Chris Massaro said he looks “forward to cooperating in the investigation. We reaffirm our commitment to women’s athletics. However, we cannot comment further about this investigation.”
