Gender Equity in Higher Education

In 1989, the Legislature passed two laws designed to achieve gender equity in public higher education, and directing the Higher Education Coordinating Board to report every four years on their implementation.

• The first law prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in student services and support, academic programs, and athletics.

• The second law authorizes the use of tuition and fee waivers by public four-year institutions to achieve gender equity in intercollegiate athletics.

The Legislature requires the public four-year colleges and universities that would like to use tuition and fee waivers to meet progressively more challenging equity goals.

Female athletic participation is required to be within five percentage points of female enrollment (for full-time undergraduates, ages 17-24, on the main campus). For example, if a college or university has a female enrollment of 55 percent, 50 percent of its athletes must be women. Colleges and universities not meeting that goal are required to submit a plan outlining how they will come into compliance.

Reports

Gender Equity in Higher Education Report (Dec. 2006)

Gender Equity in Higher Education Report (December 2002)
Gender Equity Report (January 2000)

Board Updates and Action

Gender Equity in Academic Programs at Washington’s Public Four-Year Colleges and Universities (Sept. 2007)

Western Washington University’s Gender Equity Plan for Athletics (April 2003)
Eastern Washington University’s Gender Equity Plan for Athletics (July 2002)

State Laws and Rules

State Statute - 28B.110
State Statute - 28B.15.460
State Statute - 28B.15.465
Regulations - WAC 250-71

For more information, contact:
John Lederer
Phone: 360.753.7822