Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down

Tuesday, April 14, 1998

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down

Making sports gender-blind

Thumbs up to California State University Stockton for making
progress in equalizing scholarship funding for female athletes.

Although it’s a relatively minor change in the school’s fairly
gender-equal athletic program, it’s nevertheless encouraging.

Title IX mandates an increase in funds that will go towards
women’s sports. This federal civil rights statute prohibits sex
discrimination in academic and sports programs. It is 1998, and
gender equity is only recently getting recognized in California’s
universities. With increased funding, however, let’s hope that the
opportunities for women in sports will be expanded and
encouraged.

Reclaiming our students

Thumbs up to Roosevelt Elementary School for offering an
after-school program that is open until 10 p.m. and provides
programs ranging from academic tutoring to organizing sports
teams.

This program is also open to neighborhood kids who do not attend
Roosevelt.

Classes for parents dealing with parenting issues and even
citizenship are offered as well.

The city Recreation Department and volunteer groups will provide
staffing for the activities.

Currently, the community surrounding Roosevelt Elementary school
lacks parks and community centers, and is one of the poorest areas
in the city with the highest crime rate.

This program hopes to provide a safe haven for children who may
otherwise be in the street at late hours or other children who may
be left home alone while their parents are working.

The program aims to keep children from involvement in gangs by
providing them a safe atmosphere where they are given attention and
are kept busy.

If successful, this program may be extended to to other schools
around the city.

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down represents a majority opinion of the Daily
Bruin Editorial Board. Please send comments to
[email protected].