|
|
|
Forum Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 4:40:31 PM
Posts: 540,
Visits: 1,185
|
|
Has anyone heard anything about dropping the name "Westerwind" and unifying all team names as "Leathernecks" ????
President Goldfarb was to make his decision known this spring. Perhaps he is waiting for the spring sports to finish up before announcing it.
I really have not heard many people supporting this idea to go with the one team name. Seems like it is an idea that originated with Vice President Johnson and Athletic Director Van Alstine.
Perhaps it does make sense from a marketing standpoint. We will have to wait and see what President Goldfarb decides to do.
One WESTERN. All Leathernecks !!
Go Leathernecks !!
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/2/2008 4:37:28 AM
Posts: 4,
Visits: 12
|
|
| I too thought that Pres Goldfarb was making a decision in the spring. I read in the WC that someone filed a Title IX violation against the school and it was being investigated. If this is true, it may have delayed the decision. There is more support for a unified mascot than you think.
|
|
|
|
|
Freshman
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/3/2008 3:28:01 PM
Posts: 21,
Visits: 45
|
|
This is to reply to posts made in another thread recently...
WIU is being investigated for Title IX violations by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
The investigation was initiated by a complaint lodged by a former WIU women athlete. She found possible Title IX violations while looking for a legal way to fight the Westerwinds name proposal. She came across them while studying the EADA (Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act) that was mentioned by former coach Kathy Veroni in a letter to the Western Courier.
At this point, the name proposal and investigation are two separate issues. They are both being dealt with by the OCR, but the investigation centers around the 3 components used to determine equity in athletics, and also a subarea regarding publicity. The name proposal is being resolved by a means other than investigation.
I don't believe Goldfarb will act on the name proposal until the OCR concludes its investigation.
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/26/2008 9:01:34 AM
Posts: 562,
Visits: 639
|
|
| Thanks for the information/explanation. It looks like a complicated state of affairs, and one of those things that might drag on for a long time. Unfortunate, indeed. Not knowing the particulars, I can't comment. It's just a shame things like this can't stay out of the courts- many folks can become affected in a negative way even when they have nothing to do with the issues.
|
|
|
|
|
Freshman
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/3/2008 3:28:01 PM
Posts: 21,
Visits: 45
|
|
Just to clarify further-
This whole process is an investigation, not a court procedure.
The OCR is part of the Dept. of Education. They are responsible for investigating any complaints involving all matters of discrimination (sex, race, religion, physical abilities, etc.). This is the body that usually is involved with discrimination cases at all levels of education, from elementary school to universities.
The OCR is investigating WIU because it found there is sufficient information to show the school wasn't in compliance with Title IX. While the investigation is centered around one component of compliance (abilities and interests), the school may also be in non-compliance with both of the other two components.
Since schools only need to show compliance with one component to fulfill the requirements of Title IX, the OCR may have determined WIU isn't in compliance with the first two. If WIU was, there wouldn't be a need to investigate the third.
If the OCR determines WIU is in non-compliance, they will notify WIU about the area(s) and determine the requirements the school needs meet to bring itself into compliance. If WIU refuses, or fails to meet the requirements, the OCR has the power to punish WIU, such as withholding federal funding.
|
|
|
|
|
Freshman
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/3/2008 3:28:01 PM
Posts: 21,
Visits: 45
|
|
Here is information that clarifies Title IX-
http://www.american.edu/sadker/titleix.htm
Here is WIU's EADA for the last reporting year-
http://ope.ed.gov/athletics/InstDetail.asp
You can look at both and see for yourself if WIU is or isn't complying. While this doesn't tell the whole story, it does show some of what the OCR uses to determine compliance.
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 1:37:17 AM
Posts: 270,
Visits: 438
|
|
TITLE IX
The whole thing rubs me the wrong way.
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/26/2008 9:01:34 AM
Posts: 562,
Visits: 639
|
|
I believe everyone understands the issue of equality in sports, and agree that women's teams should have access to similar resources as the men's teams. Especially in college athletics.
My concern- and I can't speak to this particular case, since I have few, if any details- is that Title 9 isn't used as a club to intimidate or coerce schools to become entangled in small issues that could be handled within the college. Individual problems of the past shouldn't be put on the shoulders of everyone today. Certainly, if there are are issues that need to be corrected-fine. I'm just against frivilous issues being touted as needing *investigations*. Kind of like, killing a fly with a hammer, when a fly swatter could be used. Again, I know nothing of this particular issue, just some random thoughts.
Personally I support Title 9.
|
|
|
|
|
Freshman
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/3/2008 3:28:01 PM
Posts: 21,
Visits: 45
|
|
Unfortunately, sometimes it takes an investigation to get a school to comply.
WIU was sued by the women's Athletic Dept. in '78 and the case was thrown out by a judge who's reasoning was "Men and women are different." So even back then, there were inequities at WIU and an attempt to get them to comply. However, there were still many people, including judges, who thought women didn't need to be treated equally in society (not just in athletics) and didn't care there was a law in place to bring about changes.
While WIU has done some things over the years to bring more equality in athletics, they still are lagging behind in other areas. After this much time with Title IX in place, it should be better. Since they don't seem able or willing to bring about these changes, the OCR is needed to make sure they finally do.
In all fairness to WIU, a large percentage of schools still don't comply with Title IX. (However, that shouldn't be used as a reason to justify W | | | |