Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has been making headlines with her recent suggestions for changing Title IX policies. Here is what you need to know before reading her changes:

What is Title IX?

Title IX is a federal law passed and signed into law by President Richard Nixon in 1972 that states: “No person in the United States shall, 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.”

Who does Title IX apply to?

Title IX applies to any educational institution that receives federal funding, both public and private. This means Title IX applies to almost all colleges and universities as they receive federal funding through the financial aid programs their students use.

Why is Title IX always brought up with athletics?

School athletics are considered to be an educational program or activity. Due to that consideration, Title IX affects participation, scholarship and benefits for female athletes.

Title IX requires schools and universities to offer an equal opportunity to play for women and men. This, however, does not require athletics to offer identical sports. All female and male athletes must receive athletic scholarships that are proportional to their participation and equal treatment of equipment, scheduling, travel and daily allowance and access to tutoring and other student-athlete programs and facilities.

What else does Title IX apply to?

Title IX applies to pretty much any form of discrimination, harassment or prohibited conduct at an educational institution. Examples include course offerings, financial assistance, student services, educational programs and sexual assault.

What resources are available at TCU?

TCU has a Title IX office inside Student Affairs that works with TCU Police, TCU Campus Life and other offices on campus.

The proposed Title IX changes are open for public comment until January 28, 2019. Responses can be made at regulations.gov.