June 23, 2022, marks the 50th anniversary of the enactment of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the landmark civil rights law that explicitly prohibits sex, gender identity and/or sexual orientation-based discrimination, including, but not limited to: pregnancy related discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking in all activities and programs of educational institutions receiving federal funds, which includes the U of A.

It states, "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." 

While originally drafted to challenge the status quo and prevent discrimination in collegiate athletics, Title IX has evolved into a broad prohibition applicable to all institutional programmatic aspects. Often referred to as "37 words that changed everything," Title IX has fundamentally changed how institutions of higher education respond to reports within their respective educational programs and activities and ensures that active education, awareness and prevention measures are taken.

In observance of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, the Title IX Office welcomed and encouraged the participation of the campus community in its presentation of the "Thirty-Seven Words Campaign." Below please find some of the responses received from the campus community when asked to express what Title IX means to you in thirty-seven words or less.

Responses

Shanita L. Pettaway
Director of Title IX Compliance and Title IX Coordinator

Trauma-Informed, Equitable Implementation of Supportive Measures
Innovative and Ingenious Awareness Campaigns
Trailblazing Campus Outreach Initiatives
Leading Courageous Conversations and Amplifying Campus Voices
Education and Training Events

Institutional Compliance Initiatives
Xenacious, Unwavering Effort to Engage Campus Community

Shanita L. Pettaway
Director of Title IX Compliance and Title IX Coordinator

"Title IX—to comply or not to comply? That is not the question. It is not a matter of whether to comply, rather how to comply—championing Title IX compliance in all institutional programmatic aspects."

Allen Porter
Community Outreach and Involvement Corporal 
University of Arkansas Police Department

"Title IX is, to me, a federal program that extends protection to students, faculty and staff on a college or university campus against discrimination based on sexual misconduct. This act holds those charged with the responsibility to maintain a hostility free educational and work environment accountable."

Alli Johnson
Accomodation Specialist

"Title IX creates a safe and inclusive environment for all gender identities and sexual orientations through their advocacy and justice-based actions."

Carla Martin
Institutional Research Analyst and Workday Student Reporting Lead

"Title IX means I played on the first ever girls' basketball team at my junior high school in the 1970s—and we got to practice in the gym alternating weeks instead of just the asphalt court."

Jonathan Deegan
Equal Opportunity and Title IX Investigator

"Title IX, to me, means that our society has acknowledged that sex-based discrimination in education must be taken seriously and addressed by offering support to both parties and ensuring there are consequences for those found responsible."

Derita Renee-Ratcliffe Dawkins
Deputy Director of Athletics

"Title IX meant the promise of a more equitable future in educational settings.  It has yet to be fully fulfilled—but there is still hope. We must remain committed to realizing the promise—let's act NOW!"

Capt. Gary W. Crain
U of A Police Department

"Title IX — changing hearts and minds (or significantly, actions and opportunities) from past long-standing dominations to present and future equitable considerations eliminating barriers to human beings with history of omission, oppression and disregard."

Susan Neyman
Alumna '94,'95,'03

"Discrimination is 'unjust treatment based on categories of people, such as race, gender, age or sexual orientation.'  Unfortunately, humanity requires a legal construct to define unjust behavior. Since humans need clear parameters, Title IX to the rescue."

Jamie Thayer
Equal Opportunity and Title IX Investigator

Wayne Bell
Equal Opportunity and Title IX Case Manager

"Title IX to me represents the best effort for equality in academic settings like the University of Arkansas. It provides protections and response that effects every person on this campus, from students to faculty to staff."

Anonymous Submitter

"To me, Title IX signifies an important step toward equality and safety for women in the educational environment."

About the U of A Title IX Office: The U of A Title IX Office oversees the university's compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, working with university administration, departments, students, faculty, staff, campus police and other support services to ensure that university policies and programs foster a campus community free of illegal gender discrimination and sexual violence.