Government May Eradicate Title IX

Harvard will continue to provide equal athletic opportunities for men and women despite indications that the Reagan administration may drop some federal guidelines restricting sexual discrimination in colleges receiving government aid. University officials said yesterday.

If the federal regulations, contained in Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, are eliminated, there will be "absolutely no changes in the University's policy toward women's athletics." John P. Reardon. director of athletics. said. adding "We are committed to providing a first-class program for women."

As part of its drive to get rid of "burdensome. unnecessary. or counterproductive federal regulations," the White House is reviewing Title IX. along with several other regulations. many of them dealing with civil rights. women's rights, and sexual harassment of women on the job.

Title IX insures that female athletic coaches are paid the same as men, and that women athletes are provided with equipment comparable to that of their male counterparts.

Nancy Randolph, special assistant to President Bok. said she does not think the University would loosen its own hiring policies or begin paying men and women differently "just because the government got rid of Title IX."

Reardon praised Title IX as instrumental in improving women's athletics across the country. saying "without it, women's athletics would not be where they are today." He added that the does not expect a large-scale decline in the quality of women's athletics programs.

"Clearly, there are going to be some colleges and universities who would use the eradication of Title IX as a means for decreasing women's sports. but on the whole. I think most institutions will keep up the level of women's athletics that they have built up."

Reardon specifically praised the Ivy League for its level of women's athletics. "Ivy League schools in general have been much more committed to having excellent athletic opportunities for women than other schools, and that will continue to be the case whether or not Title IX is knocked off."

Although he does not think eradication of the mandate would cause any major changes in women's sports, he added that "If I were president of the United States, I would keep Title IX, just to make sure that individual institutions don't start cutting their women's programs."

He said, "personally, I'm not thrilled about being told what to do by the government, but then again. it's important to make sure that women are given equal athletic opportunities."