Whittier College Brings Back Women’s Lacrosse After Lawsuit Threat
The settlement commits the college to at least three years and a gender equity review. After 2028-29, it can end the program if it still can’t recruit and keep 15 players.
Whittier College has agreed to reinstate its women’s lacrosse team after players threatened a class-action lawsuit over the school’s July decision to cut the program. The players said the cut violated Title IX, the federal law against sex discrimination in schools that receive federal money.
The team is back, but the agreement comes with conditions. The college must offer students the chance to play women’s lacrosse for at least three years. After that, it can drop the program if it still can’t recruit and keep 15 players despite its recruiting efforts.
The players’ lawyers also pointed to the college’s decision to bring back men’s football this year as part of their case. The agreement requires a gender equity review of whether women have equal chances to play varsity sports. The college must adopt a public plan by the end of this school year to address any problems the review finds. The college denies violating Title IX.
