Group to look at women's athletics

Committee will examine equity in Athletic Dept. Women's athletics now has a watchdog looking out for its interests. Last week, Athletic Director Steve Bilsky appointed members to the new Gender Equity Advisory Group. The committee's task is to oversee the implementation of the terms of the Title IX settlement reached between the Athletic Department and Penn women athletes and coaches in September. The agreement came after a year of negotiations. The women athletes' complaint stated that the University's Athletic Department was not providing equal opportunity for women in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The formation of the Equity Group was mandated by the settlement. Nursing Professor Ruth McCorkle, an intramural softball coach, will chair the committee, which also includes student-athletes and alumni. Her term as chair will last two years. "I feel that it is a unique opportunity to bring women's sports and athletics forward," McCorkle said. The first objective of the committee will be to examine what the function and purpose of the group will be and who it will report to in the University structure, according to McCorkle. 1967 Wharton graduate Jane Pollock was also appointed to the committee. Pollock is a current member of the Athletic Advisory Board and the Women's Athletic Board at the University. "I've always fought hard for women's athletics but I think I can look at most of the issues fairly," Pollock said. The group will not only be a grievance committee, Pollock added. Track and field captain Greg Schroeder and women's tennis captain Preety Sorathia were selected to represent the student athletes' opinions. Sorathia, a College senior, said she is excited about her participation. "It's going to be interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes, especially as an athlete since it is we who these changes are going to ultimately affect," Sorathia said. Schroeder, a Wharton senior, said he thinks the issue should not focus on men or women getting more funding. Instead, women and men should be considered together as athletes, he said. "When you play sports, you want to be treated as a first-class program," Schroeder added. "If everybody has the best facilities and equipment to train with, it attracts a different kind of athlete." Also appointed to the group are Assistant Vice Provost for University Life Barbara Cassel, wrestling coach Roger Reina, women's basketball coach Julie Soriero, University Trustee Anthony Minisi and Legal Studies Professor Kenneth Shropshire, who is also the University's faculty representative to the NCAA.