WASHINGTON (WAND) — On Friday, new rules were finalized regarding Title IX regulations issued by the Education Department.
Among the dozens of sections addressed in the document, one provision addressed university investigations into sexual misconduct by student-athletes. According to the new rules, schools would be unable to remove accused student-athletes from athletic programs during investigations.
According to a release by the Department of Ed., over 150,000 public comments were received after proposed amendments were released in April 2023.
Related Links
- Illini standout Terrence Shannon Jr. suspended on rape charges
- Terrence Shannon Jr. drops lawsuit against Illinois after university takes no disciplinary action
- Biden’s new Title IX rules protect LGBTQ+ students, but avoid addressing transgender athletes
The new rule would affect cases such as Terrence Shannon Jr., an Illinois basketball player who was suspended from the team during an investigation that began after he was charged with rape in Kansas.
Shannon took the suspension to court, where Judge Colleen R. Lawless ruled in favor of him being allowed back on the team. He dropped a lawsuit against the university after the Office of Student Conflict Resolution failed to find him in violation of the school's Student Code.
There is an emergency removal provision that would allow schools to remove athletes from teams on an emergency basis for imminent danger.
Other regulations addressed sex-based harassment, promoting accountability and fairness, especially of LGBTQ+ students, and empowering students and families.
A fact-sheet regarding all of the changes can be found here.
Copyright 2024. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
