Letter from Sherri Stewart, Coordinator of Women’s Intercollegiate Athletics at Purdue University, to President Gerald R. Ford Regarding the Implementation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

GENERAL 2 HU2-5 THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON March 13, 1975 Dear Miss Stewart: The President has asked me to thank you for your letter of January 30 concerning the regulation to implement Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. As you know, Title IX prohibits discrimination by sex in federally assisted education programs and a proposed regulation implementing Title IX was published June 20, 1974 in the Federal Register. Based on more than 9,700 public comments, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare revised the regulation which was approved by Secretary Weinberger and sent to the White House for presidential approval. After approval the regulation will be published in the Federal Register. It will take effect no less than 45 days following publication. I assure you that the President agrees with you as to the importance of Title IX and I thank you for your interest. Sincerely, Andi M.Buckles Andre M. Buckles Staff Assistant Domestic Council X Miss Sherri L. Stewart FORD & LIBRARY 038410 Coordinator of Women's Intercollegiate Athletics Purdue University Recreational Gymnasium West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 RECEIVED MAR 14 1975 CENTRAL FILLS HEALTH. DEPAR MELTERE any ARTMENT DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY U.S.A. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20201 MAR 11 1975 MEMORANDUM FOR HONORABLE ANDRE BUCKLES Thank you for your request of February 5. A suggested reply to President Sherri L. Stewart is enclosed. Peter E. Holmes Enclosure FORD & LIBRARY GERALD DRAFT Ms. Sherri L. Stewart Coordinator of Women's Intercollegiate Athletics Purdue University Recreational Gymnasium West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 Dear Ms. Stewart: The President has requested me to reply to your letter of January 30 concerning the regulation to implement Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. As you know, Title IX prohibits discrimination by sex in federally assisted education programs and a proposed regulation implementing Title IX was published June 20, 1974 in the Federal Register. Based on more than 9,700 public comments, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare revised the regulation which was approved by Secretary Weinberger and sent to the White House for presidential approval. After approval the regulation will be published in the Federal Register. It will take effect no less than 45 days following publication. I assure you that the President agrees with you as to the importance of Title IX and I thank you for your interest. Sincerely, FORD & LIBRARY GERALD Prepared by: CR/3-10/75/GWEN GREGORY/vw1/x245-6241 The WHITE House I WASHINGTON Date Feb. 4, 1975 TO: ANDRE BUCKLES FROM: ROGER SEMERAD FYI XX For appropriate action COMMENTS Pls. mfor to Pstu Holmes Myper res pondr for Cole's Signature 138 WOMEN'S intercollegiate sports RS-1 ORGANIZATION PURDUE UNIVERSITY RECREATIONAL GYMNASIUM WEST LAFAYETTE, IND. 47907 (317) 49-48640 January 30, 1975 President Gerald R. Ford The White House Washington, D.C. Dear Mr. President: I would like to urge immediate publication of guidelines implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 relating to sex discrimination in educational institutions without any further exceptions being the cause of delay. Title IX is an essential part of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 because the law should bring to an end two hundred years of sexual discrimination. It is time to dismiss the excuse of bureau- cratic red tape being used for continued discrimination. It is now 1975 and the law was initiated in 1972. The primary question being asked is "What must be done to comply with Title IX?" Shouldn't the question be asked, "What ought to be done for fairness to all students?" Surely justice rather than compliance should be the central issue. As President of the United States, as a former athlete, and as a person who believes in the value of physical fitness, I urge you to heartily approve Title IX without further exceptions and to urge the publication of Title IX guidelines immediately. Sincerely, Sherri L. Stewart Sherri L. Stewart Coordinator of Women's Intercollegiate Athletics SLS:jac FORD & LIBRARY GERALD