The University of Alaska educational system has launched a litany of unusual initiatives administrators say are necessary to comply with the Title IX federal law which protects people from sex-based discrimination in educational programs that receive federal financial assistance.
The actual law states that no person “on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” These rules apply to high schools, universities, libraries, museums and other institutions that accept federal dollars.
According to U.S. Dept. of Education, these groups must operate in a “manner free of discrimination based on sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity.” This includes areas such as recruitment, admissions, counseling, financial aid, athletics, treatment of pregnant and parenting students, LGBTQ students and so forth.
It appears that some University of Alaska administrators have gone above and beyond the basic requirements in their efforts to comply with Title IX.
On Nov. 10, the 11-member University of Alaska Board of Regents, which has constitutional authority to set policy and management decisions for the entire UA educational system, will hear about how the three main campuses in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau are implementing certain programs and events as part of their Title IX compliance initiatives.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
According to a brief, which will be shared with the regents, University of Fairbanks administrators have imposed a whole host of activities on students and staff. These include Queer Shopping Nights, “Gay-mer” Nights, LGBTQ+ History Month Activities, Gender Inclusion 101, diversity training, Indigenous Peoples Day, implicit bias training, diversity equity and inclusion training for staff, student Safe Zones, racism and marginalization workshops and much more.
Likewise, at the University of Alaska Southeast, the school has implemented LGBTQ Safe Zone training, LGBTQ history month celebrations and is working with Planned Parenthood and other “stakeholders” to develop programming events for students and staff.
The Anchorage campus has also implemented a series of initiatives to comply with Title IX.
TAKING ACTION
The University of Alaska Board of Regents will hear testimony from the general public on Nov. 7 from 4-5 p.m. This provides all Alaskans the opportunity to speak directly to regents. Each caller will have two minutes to offer thoughts, concerns, feedback or updates on topics or issues related to the University of Alaska system.
The public testimony is being held in advance of the regent’s Nov. 10-11 board meeting at the UAF campus in Fairbanks.
Regents will also discuss tuition and fee changes, the upcoming operating budget and capital improvement requests.
Regents are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Alaska Legislature for eight-year terms. Established through the Alaska Constitution, the board is responsible for University of Alaska policy and management through the University President.
CONTACTS AND INFORMATION
— In addition to the opportunity to provide public testimony, written testimony is accepted at any time, and is shared with the board and the president. Written testimony can be emailed to ua-bor@alaska.edu.
— To email or call regent board members individually, click here.
— The Nov. 11 agenda for the full board meeting can be found here.
— For more information, contact Roberta Graham, associate vice president of public affairs at 907-360-2416.
10 Comments
For less than 5% of the nations population?! What about the rest of us who are tired of this garbage? How about other programs that benefit ALL university students – like take all this funding and make the parking free or the books free?! Good grief. Reinstate programs that have already shown they matter and were cut. This is out of hand and will be why our children go to a trade school instead of being admitted into this filth.
Indigenous Peoples Day is mentioned in the article. Over 22 percent of Alaskans identity as indigenous and I suspect the number is even higher in the University of Alaska system. Elizabeth Peratrovich Day is a state holiday.
That is legitimate and is a part of our actual history. Much of the other stuff is not and should not be university sanctioned, nor funded events.
The Indigenous population in Alaska is largely celebrated and honored (hence Elizabeth Peratrovich Day). Alaska natives are offered a number of wonderful benefits. My comment and point was that funding for additional events and programs which don’t benefit a larger percentage of the University population (like the indigenous population as you so eloquently pointed out) are not necessary or helpful to the larger demographic the university is serving. Poll all of the men and women. I guarantee 100% of the University students would be delighted to have their parking fees or books funded (which serves all) vs having a Gay event night (which serves a very distinct few).
Mental illness .
Sounds like the time may have to come for the defunding of the Department of Education.
Actually, that time is long overdue.
Yeah.. I do agree.
That time came long ago. Long past due. Put education back under control of states, communities and parents. And while we are at it, get rid of the NEA.
What happens if schools, local and state educational agencies, and other institutions that receive federal financial assistance don’t comply with all Title IX requirements? The ultimate penalty for non-compliance with Title IX regulations is the withdrawal of federal funds, including monies earmarked for student loans. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/tix_dis.html Title IX requirements were revised August 2021 by Biden’s minions. Hang on for 2 more years before the next President is elected and the US Dept. of Education has a change of leadership and direction.