Who we are Masten promotes gender fairness by Gavin Brady - Staff reporter At a special Board of Governors meeting Nov. 24, former University volleyball coach Deborah Masten and her lawyer, David Masters, offered suggestions for better gender equity at the University. The meeting was part of Masten's lawsuit settlement with the Board of Governors, Athletic Director Walter H. Ryle and President Jack Magruder involving Title VII and Title IX issues. Masters also said the University must present new opportunities for female athletes. Masten said the University's female athletes do not share the same advantages as male athletes regarding access to training facilities, quality transportation and lodging, and promotion of athletic contests and teams. She also addressed what she believed is the unequal access to medical treatment.
Female athletes deserve the exact same treatment as male athletes.
Jessica Neighbors, student representative to the Board of Governors, said the University has already taken steps toward remedying some of Masten's concerns. It's a shame that we had to go through a lawsuit, but there will be positive changes coming out of it. The settlement requires the University to hire a gender-equity compliance officer by July 1. This person will also double as the equal employment opportunity officer. The University will also undergo a gender -equity audit.