THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF REFORM: STRENGTHENING OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS TO ACHIEVE
TITLE IX’S OBJECTIVES
Alison Renfrew
ABSTRACT
Enacted forty years ago, Title IX was groundbreaking legislation designed to give women equal access and opportunities in athletics and academia. The success of Title IX is dependent on the Office for Civil Rights, the federal agency responsible for administering and enforcing Title IX. The Office of Civil Rights’ ability to adequately administer and enforce Title IX has been plagued by several problems. As such, Title IX’s inherent promise of equality for women seems largely unfulfilled.
This Comment provides an overview of Title IX by exploring the legislative history, as well as its purposes and objectives. In addition, this Comment examines the problems with the administrative and enforcement process used by the Office for Civil Rights for Title IX violations. Finally, this Comment offers several reforms that could be made by the Office for Civil Rights to improve and strengthen Title IX.
