Federal Title IX Lawsuit Against Guilford College

Last Updated — May 3, 2019

By order of United States District Judge William L. Osteen, Jr., 14 current and former student athletes settled, by public consent decree, a federal Title IX class action complaint against the North Carolina school. Filed in 2017, the suit alleged that Guilford College systematically discriminated against female athletes and coaches of female athletes.  

Under the consent decree, Guilford agreed to add varsity sports teams; allocate additional monies to certain women’s sports; develop policies to ensure equitable funding and treatment for both male and female athletes and varsity teams, and create an Equity in Athletics Committee (“EAC”) to oversee and assist the school in achieving gender equity.  The consent decree is unusual in that Guilford College and the plaintiffs have agreed to work together to reach gender equity at the school. Two of the plaintiffs will participate as members of the EAC for the next five years and will assist the Guilford in hosting a conference for women athletes to promote gender equity in athletics.

Click Here To Read and Download the Consent Decree

The lawsuit alleged that while more than 50% of the undergraduate student body is female, Guilford provides male athletes about 20% more opportunity to participate in its athletic programming. The suit further alleged that Guilford provides  superior benefits and treatment to its male athletes with respect to the provision of equipment and supplies; scheduling of games and practice time; travel and per diem allowance; opportunity to receive coaching and academic tutoring; assignment and compensation of coaches and tutors; provision of locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities; provision of medical and training services; provision of housing and dining facilities and services; and publicity.

Click Here To Read and Download the Original Complaint

Duffy Law represents college and university students and staff throughout the country whose rights under Title IX have been violated. This includes:

• Student defendants who have been accused of sexual assault or/and a violation of the educational institution’s code of conduct. We help these students and their families navigate the school’s complex disciplinary investigation and hearing procedures.
• Students who bring a claim against another student, staff member, or the university and believe that their claim is being (or has been) improperly investigated or handled. Often, these persons are re-traumatized during the investigative process, and may suffer psychological injuries when the defendant is determined to be “not responsible.”
• Coaches, players, and other parties who file a claim against an educational institution in an athletic context (for example, female players who are denied access to training facilities, or female coaches who are paid less than male coaches).
• Faculty and staff members who make a claim of sexual harassment or discrimination against an educational institution in an employment context (i.e., denial of promotion due to gender or sexual identity). Students who also work as Teaching Assistants and in related positions are considered employees under Title IX.

Read more about our Title IX practice here.