Regarding James Madison University’s decision to drop athletic teams to comply with Title IX, Jessica remarks that “JMU women, above all, realize the insanity and waste that have resulted from the law….”

A leader among these women is Stacy Fuller, Student Representative to the JMU Board of Visitors, who writes in an email:

The Visitors’action was taken in an effort to come into compliance with Title IX. Seven men’s teams and three women’s teams were cut. Since female enrollment has increased to 61%, JMU has been forced to bring athletic enrollment within Title IX limits. More information can be found at JMU’s website for the press release. The students perceive Title IX to be a law that was intended to positively change American culture. Women now represent roughly 60% of the national collegiate population. Clearly, a change has taken place. This law has accomplished what it was intended to accomplish, especially in collegiate athletics and now is harming rather than helping. The marginal utility of this legislation has diminished too far for it to continue to be a part of college sports. The students of JMU understand that this action was necessary to comply with the law. They do not, however, understand how this law – originally put in place to prevent discrimination and now seemingly a source of discrimination – is defensible. The men’s teams at JMU are very valuable to school spirit and camaraderie. Many of the teams have extraordinary athletes, some of whom have competed successfully at the world-class level. It is very clear that our male athletes have, on the basis of sex, been excluded from participation in and denied the benefits of an activity receiving federal financial assistance. If they have not been discriminated against, it is certain that they would like to know what dropping over half of the men’s athletics program is called. The students are mobilizing to bring Title IX into the national spotlight and ultimately seek to change the law or its interpretation. Legal, media, lobbyist, and public relations teams are now being organized to prepare and carry out the campaign to raise awareness about the negative impacts of Title IX, especially concerning how it has been interpreted to ultimately discriminate against men.