Office for Civil Rights seeks student opinions, denies Fiat access

The Office for Civil Rights continued its investigation into the University’s alleged unfair treatment of female athletes and their teams April 28 and 29, but also interfered with the student newspaper’s ability to report the issue.

During its "fact-gathering" process, investigators held two open-door meetings for all AU students in the Kenyon-Allen Room in Powell Campus Center. Women were questioned on April 28 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and men were welcome to attend April 29 during the same hours.

In an attempt to cover the April 29 meeting, a member of the Office for Civil Rights told a Fiat Lux member that he was allowed to participate in the process as a student with an opinion, but that “the press was not allowed.”

A week prior, an Alfred Today post titled “Office of Civil Rights seeks student input,” encouraged students to attend the meeting, regardless of sports team affiliation.

“During their visit, OCR wants to meet with any and all students who wish to be heard on that topic, regardless of point of view,” the post said. “Please note that these sessions are not limited to student-athletes. We encourage any interested students to attend and express your thoughts and opinions.”

Junior Emily Tobin attended the female session on April 28 and was told by a member from the Office for Civil Rights that the gathering was not private.

"She (the investigator) said to us that it was a public forum," Tobin said.

Tobin, an attack on the women's lacrosse team, said that the meeting was informative, especially in regards to hearing disparities between different female teams.

"I thought it was informative especially for the other women's teams," Tobin said. "They (investigators) didn't know exactly what other teams were getting, what they were not getting."

Tobin says that she sees some differences in treatment between the men's and women's teams, but that they would be easily fixable.

"I think some aspects are not equal," Tobin said. "But, I don't think it would be too hard to change."

Tobin referenced the locker rooms, coaching staffs and equipment as areas of anticipated improvement.

Libby Meier, a junior on AU's women's basketball team, also attended the Tuesday female-only session.

Meier said there were 10 to 15 females in attendance. The investigators made clear what Title IX covered legally and proceeded to ask questions and solicit opinions from the attendees within those parameters, going sport-by-sport, to gather as much information as possible.

Meier said that each sport represented had their own issues and wanted to be heard loud and clear.

"I think each team has their own qualms," Meier said.

Meier said she found out about the meeting from Women's Leadership Center Director Julia Overton-Healy.

Despite her brief affiliation with the University, Overton-Healy is sure that Alfred falls into compliance with Title IX.

"I'm confident in what I know about Alfred University athletics that we're doing everything appropriately," Overton-Healy said. "If they find something, we will fix it to the best of our ability. I don't think we're doing anything wrong. The fact that somebody felt like they needed to raise the issue—OK good—and we're responding appropriately."