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MARQUETTE -- Many people take for granted equality in schools that allows opportunities for both genders to take part in athletics and other school programs, but it wasn't that long ago that this wasn't the case.  That was why the American Association of University Women got together Thursday night to discuss Title IX, the law that gave women that right.

Title IX is most commonly associated with athletics--giving girls the opportunity to play sports in school--but the law is more in-depth than that.  That's why former professor Toby Rose addressed the AAUW on the subject.

"I would like to make everybody aware of all the other areas that it covers, such as sexual harassment," said Rose.

The law also covers equality in the classroom at any school receving federal funding.  Thirty-six years after it was passed, however, there is still some opposition to giving equal opportunities to both sexes.

"In the last ten years, there've been people that have published books called, The Boys Crisis, that say that, because girls have succeeded so well in both academics and athletics, boys have gone into a crisis," Rose explained.

AAUW president, Mary Buchman, agreed.  "There's...this undercurrent of the 'good old boys club'.  I know it still exists."

For the most part, however, members of the AAUW feel that Title IX has been upheld, especially locally at Northern Michigan University.

"I would say there's probably always room for improvement, but I think they are cognizant of Title IX and make every effort to adhere to the tenets of Title IX," Buchman said.

Rose does feel that education and understanding are the keys to upholding the law, and the AAUW has released statements saying that they feel that, though major strides have been taken, discrimination still exists.  Their major area of concern is high school girls athletics, citing discrimination in scheduling, equipment, facilities, and overall participation opportunities.