The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) enforces, among other statutes, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. While Title IX is directed towards the prevention of discrimination in collegiate athletics, Title IX does not explicitly remedy only issues in college athletics. Rather, the statute’s heart is a broad prohibition of gender-based discrimination in all-programmatic aspects of educational institutions: “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 education programs or activity receiving Federal financial assistance…” (Cohen v. Brown University, 991 F.2d 888) Reports of sexual discrimination on college campuses have escalated over the past decade (Tjaden &;Thoennes, 2006). As a response to public outcry, analysis and review of institutional Title IX policies have permeated public discourse and contributed to significant debate over how higher education institutions are responding to sexual discrimination on their campuses (Lowentheil, 2013). This dissertation analyzes how compliant the Title IX policies at three (3) historically Black land grant universities, Alabama A&M University, Southern University and A&M College, and Florida A&M University, are with federal guidelines and regulations and how each institution compares with one
another in terms of compliance.

27 Nov. 2023 from 3-4pm (eastern). Register here.

Presenter:

Shanita L. Pettaway, J.D., Ph.D.
University of South Alabama
Assistant Professor of Political Science and Criminal Justice

A native of Mobile, Alabama, Pettaway, J.D., Ph.D., recipient of a host of awards and distinctions, inductee of a host of honor and professional societies and a first-generation college graduate, holds a Doctor of Philosophy, Administration of Higher Education, from Auburn University (2019); a Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center (2012); a Master of Public Administration from Southern University and A&M College (2012); a Master of Education, Administration of Higher Education, from Auburn University (2017); a Graduate Certificate in College and University Teaching from Auburn University (2017); and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, summa cum laude, from Alabama A&M University (2008). Her most recent employment includes positions with the University of Arkansas, where she served as Director of Title IX Compliance and Title IX Coordinator, Columbus State University, where she served as contracts manager and policy coordinator, deputy Title IX coordinator, and held a part-time graduate faculty appointment in the Department of Teaching, Leadership, and Counseling, having taught higher education law and ethics, as well as a perspectives course; Auburn University; and the Legal Division of the Alabama Department of Human Resources. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies: Leadership, Organization and Human Resources