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NCAA to Host 20th Annual Gender Equity and Issues Forum in Chicago; U.S. Office of Civil Rights' Ali to Give Keynote Address

For Immediate Release

Friday, April 23, 2010

Contact(s)

Jennifer Royer
Associate Director of Public and Media Relations
317/917-6117


CHICAGO --- Russlynn Ali, assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, will discuss federal government priorities, education and enforcement initiatives related to intercollegiate athletics during the keynote address at this year’s NCAA Gender Equity and Issues Forum.

Set for April 25-27, the 20th annual forum will include panelists and presenters on topics ranging from Title IX and gender equity planning to strategies for dealing with the most complex issues impacting women in intercollegiate athletics. The forum will be conducted at the Marriott Oak Brook Hills Resort in Chicago.

Ali, who oversees the enforcement of all anti-discrimination laws as they apply to education, is expected to discuss the OCR’s recent decision to rescind the 2005 clarification to Title IX. Her address will begin at 1:45 p.m. Monday, April 26.

“We are very excited about this year’s Gender Equity and Issues Forum because it features a new format designed to deliver critical Title IX information and help our members apply it to practical situations,” said Karen Morrison, NCAA director of gender initiatives.

The Forum also brings together NCAA affiliate organization leaders and legal advisors. Attendees will be engaged by authorities on a broad range of topics and be invited to participate in practical-advice exchanges. This year’s Forum has two tracks – Divisions I and II will run Sunday, April 25 and Monday, April 26, while Division III will run Monday, April 26 and Tuesday, April 27. In addition to Title IX-related topics, financial reporting, sexual harassment, female student-athlete well-being, emerging sports for women, new media promotion of women’s sports, work/life balance, and gender equity planning will be discussed. 

Other speakers include: Neena Chaudhry, National Women’s Law Center; Mimi Griffin, MSG Promotions; Nancy Hogshead-Makar, Florida Coastal School of Law; Janet Judge, Sports Law Associates; Judith Sweet, consultant, Strategic Solutions for Gender Equity and Athletics; Chris Voelz, Women’s Sports Foundation; faculty members from various NCAA member schools and chairs of the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics and Minority Opportunities and Interests committees.

Interested participants are strongly encouraged to register online in advance at https://www.planningpoint.net/V2/Registrations/index.cfm?Display=Attendees/dsp_attendeeForm.cfm .

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