ESU Backup Insider

Dr. Bernice R. Sandler, a noted national figure who has been referred to as the “godmother of Title IX” by the New York Times, will be the featured speaker at a number of events at East Stroudsburg University on Monday, April 29.

Dr. Sandler, currently a Senior Scholar at the Women’s Research and Education Institute in Washington, D.C., has given over 2,500 presentations, written more than 100 articles and is well-known for her expertise in women’s educational equity.

Her visit to ESU, titled “A Day with Bernice Sandler: The Godmother of Title IX”, will conclude with a presentation, “Title IX: The Untold Story of Sexual Discrimination in Higher Education”, in the Abeloff Convocation Center from 7-8:30 p.m.

The evening presentation, along with a presentation at 1 p.m. in the Keystone Room titled “The Life of Women in Higher Education: Reflections of a Pioneer in the Women’s Movement”, is open to the public and free of charge.

Dr. Sandler will also hold a discussion of student-to-student sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexual bullying from 3-4 p.m. in the Keystone Room which is limited to the ESU community only. An invitation-only reception will follow in the Keystone Room from 5-6:30 p.m. prior to the closing program in the Abeloff Convocation Center at 7 p.m.

Dr. Sandler played a major role in the development and passage of Title IX and other laws prohibiting sex discrimination in education. She filed a series of sex discrimination charges against approximately 250 colleges and universities in 1969, providing the data, constituency and impetus for Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 which prohibits educational institutions receiving federal funding from discriminating against students or employees on the basis of sex.

She testified at and helped put together the hearings that led to Title IX’s passage, and at her suggestion, the regulations required a Title IX coordinator and grievance procedures. She also suggested the first “Dear Colleague Letter” – that the Title IX regulation be sent to every college president and superintendent of schools.

Dr. Sandler holds a doctorate degree in counseling from the University of Maryland, a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Brooklyn College, and a Master’s degree in Clinical and School Psychology from College of the City of New York. She has also been presented with 14 honorary doctorates and has received several national awards.

She has written and published extensively, including the first national reports on campus sexual harassment, peer harassment, campus gang rape, the chilly requirement for women students and faculty, the status of women faculty of color, and the first report on sex discrimination in collegiate athletics. She consults and provides training on college campuses and serves as an expert witness on Title IX litigation.

The program is presented by the Department of Academic Enrichment and Learning and the ESU Women’s Studies Program, and in partnership with The Office of the Provost, College of Business Management, College of Education, College of Health Sciences, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Department of Sport Management, Department of Movement Activities and Lifetime Fitness, Office of Diversity and Residence Life.

For additional information on “A Day with Bernice Sandler: The Godmother of Title IX”, please contact Kelly McKenzie, Professor, Department of Academic Enrichment and Learning, at (570) 422-3741 or kmckenzie@esu.edu.