EMU Today

YPSILANTI – The federal Office of Civil Rights has dismissed a Title IX complaint filed against Eastern Michigan University that alleges EMU is discriminating against female athletes by not providing equal opportunities for members of both sexes.

The dismissal comes at the University’s request, pursuant to OCR policies, which state that the agency will dismiss an investigation where there is ongoing litigation regarding the same set of allegations. Eastern Michigan is being sued in federal court by two former female athletes.

The federal lawsuit and complaint were filed in the wake of the elimination of four varsity sports at Eastern, part of a University-wide budget reduction process. Men’s swimming, wrestling, women’s tennis and softball were eliminated, affecting 58 male and 25 female student-athletes. Eastern now has 17 varsity sports (seven men’s and 10 women’s), which aligns the University with its peers in the Mid-American Conference.

The OCR complaint can be re-filed within 60 days after termination of the court proceeding, if there is no decision on the merits of the case or a settlement of the allegations. 

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 19,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.