Brown University recently cut 11 varsity teams from its roster to reallocate the budget to other sports, touting that the change would “increase their competitiveness.” These sports were removed unequally, and many women’s teams were cut while their male counterparts remained within the budget. The students quickly took action and filed a lawsuit against the school for the discriminatory treatment of their female students.
The university believed they could get around the law by promoting some sports to varsity status while removing others. However, by limiting the opportunities for their female students, they created an unfair environment within their program and violated Title IX.