Office for Civil Rights Title IX of the Education Amendments of
1972 (20 U.S.C. .1681 et seq.) prohibits discrimination on the
basis of sex in education programs receiving Federal financial
assistance. Athletics are considered an integral part of an
institution's education program and are therefore covered by
this law. It is the responsibility of the Department of
Education (ED), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), to assure that
athletic programs are operated in a manner that is free from
discrimination on the basis of sex. The regulation (34 C.F.R.
Part 106) implementing Title IX contains specific provisions
relating to athletic opportunities. It also permits individual
institutions considerable flexibility in achieving compliance
with the law. To clarify the athletic requirements contained in
the Title IX regulation, a Policy Interpretation was issued to
provide colleges and universities with more guidance on how to
comply with the law. The Policy Interpretation, which explains
the standards of the regulation,