Ceal Barry. Kelly Campbell. Emma Coburn. Kara Goucher. Yolanda Johnson. Crystal Krebs. Jamillah Lang. Yvonne Scott. Shelley Sheetz. Jenny Simpson. Lisa Van Goor. Jane Wahl.

These incredible women – and there are so many others – are celebrated members of the University of Colorado community and significant figures in American sports. They’re champions, changemakers, Olympians, title-holders, record-breakers and powerhouses. They’re also beneficiaries of Title IX.

As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Title IX this summer, it’s a good time to reflect on how this groundbreaking law has shaped higher education and CU, and consider where we need to go in the next 50 years.

Title IX has opened countless doors over the past half-century by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities. Most commonly associated with college sports, it extends far beyond athletics and applies to every facet of federally funded colleges and universities, including admissions, counseling and financial aid, among other areas. The law also covers sex-based harassment, including sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence; the treatment of pregnant and parenting students; the treatment of LGBTQ+ students; single-sex education; and employment.

The U.S. Department of Education recently announced proposed changes to Title IX regulations to ensure equitable processes for resolving sex discrimination complaints, protect pregnant students and employees, and expand the prohibition of discrimination based on sex to include sexual orientation, gender identity and other sex characteristics.

CU’s own policies prohibiting discrimination are longstanding, robust and deeply embedded throughout the university. Specifically, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and pregnancy, as well as race, color, national origin, age, disability, creed, religion, veteran status and political affiliation and philosophy is prohibited at CU. Additionally, the university has in place a strong systemwide Sexual Misconduct, Intimate Partner Violence and Stalking Policy prohibiting all forms of sexual misconduct on and off campus and providing numerous safety and support measures.

And yet despite our best efforts and intentions, we have work to do to ensure everyone feels safe and supported on our campuses. This work is ongoing and requires all of us to move it forward.

In fall 2021, we implemented the university-wide Campus and Workplace Culture Survey (CWC) to gauge how students, faculty and staff feel about their academic, workplace and residential environments. This information is helping us to better understand our existing culture, and allowing us to identify strengths and areas of concern so we can take action to make CU a just, equitable and inclusive place. We’ve analyzed and shared the CWC Survey data systemwide, and we’re now developing action plans to implement needed changes. We’ll use metrics and future surveys to measure our progress and success.

Creating an environment in which people feel safe and supported means having resources and networks in place, promoting these resources and ensuring people know how to access them without fear of retaliation. It means having experts who help us do and be better as a university. CU is fortunate to have exceptional people like Chief Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator Valerie Simons overseeing our efforts systemwide. We also have outstanding chief diversity officers on our campuses and dedicated people in our campus equity offices.

CU is known for research and the transformative education we provide our students. I want the university to be synonymous with access, opportunity and inclusion as well. Working toward a culture where our community members feel respected, supported and valued will go a long way in achieving that.

Five questions for Valerie Simons
CU’s Title IX leader aims to sustain a safe learning and working environment at the university. LEARN MORE.

CU Office of Ethics, Risk and Compliance
The first system Ethics, Risk and Compliance office was created in fall 2021 to oversee the campus-based Equity Offices, and system administration’s ethics and compliance program. LEARN MORE.

News from our campuses

CU Boulder
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and CU Boulder Expand Research Partnership: NOAA has selected CIRES at CU Boulder to host a cooperative institute focused on Earth system research and data science. The new partnership builds upon the scientific accomplishments of more than half a century of collaborative work between the institutions. 

UCCS
UCCS Works to Close Cybersecurity Workforce Gaps: UCCS has developed ideas and concepts to help young people consider cybersecurity as a future career option. With the help of several federal and Colorado state grants, UCCS provides a range of programs that may spark kids’ interests just at the time they’re formulating their life plans.

CU Denver
A Special Blessing at Centennial House on Ninth Street: CU Regent Nolbert Chavez arranged and hosted a special blessing at the historic Centennial House, the first home to be renovated as part of CU Denver’s larger initiative to reimagine and renew Ninth Street Park.

CU Anschutz
Researchers Find Two FDA-Approved Drugs That Curb Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease: Commonly used psychiatric drugs show evidence of improving symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, including boosting cognition, according to a study from researchers at CU Anschutz.