For more than two decades as an administrator in intercollegiate athletics, the last 19 years at Iowa State, I have been actively involved in the implementation of Title IX, the 1971 legislation that requires gender equity in the implementation of athletic programs.

My purpose today is to underscore that the ISU athletic department is committed to providing equitable opportunities for women and men student athletes. Showcasing this commitment, ISU currently offers the maximum number of scholarships allowed the NCAA for our 20-sport program. ISU’s current variance in male/female intercollegiate athletic scholarship expenditures falls within a five-percent variance of the male/female undergraduate enrollment.

Led by President Jischke, ISU continues to make a good-faith effort, not just to meet the letter of the law, but to make the spirit of the law. Our efforts can be objectively detailed and have been recognized nationally.

In June, the Women’s Sports Foundation of New York released the results of a national survey measuring four primary areas of Title IX compliance: participation rates and scholarship comparisons for men’s and women’s programs relative to overall undergraduate enrollment percentages at respective institutions.

ISU’s overall “B” grade placed it ninth out of the 103 Division I-A schools (out of 107 institutions) that responded to the national survey. Among schools whose undergraduate student body is at least 40 percent female, ISU ranked fourth nationally out of 98 schools.

Since the 1992-93 academic year, the operating budget of women’s sports at ISU has increased more than $400,000, from 21 percent of overall operating expenditures to 29 percent.

Over the same period, the athletic department has increased support services, such as athletic training staff, an additional academic counselor and master tutors, as well as increased staff support in equipment, strength ad conditioning, media relations, marketing and promotions and clerical.

These additions and enhancements have benefited all teams particularly women’s sports. These initiatives have made our athletic programs more attractive an competitive, relative to our Big 12 Conference peers.

With continued expansion of support services staff we have laid a foundation to increase participation numbers of our women’s athletic teams. Other areas including facilities, attractive schedules, media guides, marketing, support staff and especially experienced, qualified coaching staffs contribute to the effectiveness and quality of recruiting. All are areas ISU has improved upon during this time frame.

J. Elaine Hieber

Senior associate

Athletic director