LSU Settles 7-Year Title IX Suit

LSU Settles 7-Year-Old Title IX Suit

Agreement outlines equity in facilities, money damages

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, October 17, 2001 -- A settlement has been reached in a seven-year-old lawsuit involving Louisiana State University and five former students, concerning a blatant lack of opportunities for female athletes.

According to an Associated Press report, the suit, which had been filed in 1994, had been initiated by three soccer players and two softball players, prior to their sports being made available at the university. Agreed upon terms of the settlement include; LSU's consistent support of women's athletics, as well as a monetary payment to the students and their attorneys.

The settlement comes approximately one year after a federal judge ordered the opposing parties to pursue an agreement through the process of mediation. In January of 2000, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a unanimous ruling, stated that LSU was guilty of being biased, and possessed a highly discriminatory athletics system, according to the report.

The university is now pledging to show support of women's athletics by providing : equity in scholarships, facilities and equipment, coaching, medical and support staffs, marketing and publicity opportunities, as well as travel arrangements.

LSU will pay four of the five plaintiffs, $37,500 each as part of the settlement, with one declining the money. It will also pay more than $1 million to two law firms representing the students. That amount is a compromise according to university attorney's and was precipitated by a mandate resulting from a 1996 trial in federal court.

Source : Associated Press

David Burkey

E-mail : daveywriter@hotmail.com