Eastern Michigan University has settled a lawsuit over its decision to cut two of its women’s sports programs.
After two years of litigation, Eastern Michigan University has settled a lawsuit over its decision to cut its women's softball and tennis programs.
The two sports were eliminated in 2018 due to budget cuts, which prompted student athletes to sue the school, arguing that violated federal Title IX (Title Nine) law.
As part of this new settlement, EMU is agreeing to pay a combined 125-thousand dollars to the two athletes involved in the lawsuit.
It is also committing 2 million dollars in funding to women's sports programs, and is pledging not to eliminate any other programs before Spring of 2023.
EMU Spokesman Geoff Larcom says the settlement reflects the school's commitment to complying with Title IX.
"This consent decree, which will be maintained by an impartial court referee over the next three years, this allows the university to determine how best to meet the needs of our students going forward."
Larcom says has already taken other steps to comply with Title IX, including the reinstatement of its women's tennis, and the start a new women's lacrosse program.