Pepperdine University was one of several colleges asking to waive exemption from Title IX, a law that bans sex discrimination.
"Please accept this letter as Pepperdine University’s withdrawal of its 1976 request for an exemption from certain provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972," wrote Andrew K. Benton, president of the university in the January letter.
The Education Department replied that they would "take steps to ensure that Pepperdine’s status will be accurately reflected."
According to Chronicle.com, Pepperdine, which is affiliated with Churches of Christ, made the request because of the college’s values.
"We believe that Pepperdine’s mission and the goals of Title IX are aligned, and we are committed to complying with Title IX in its entirety," a statement from the university said.
Initially, when Title IX became law, Pepperdine was one of the dozens of colleges that wrote to the Office of Civil Rights and argued that the law was not possible to comply with because of their religious beliefs. Pepperdine and the other colleges were granted waivers and continued to receive federal funding.
"The 1976 exemption request was granted by the Office for Civil Rights. Since that time, the university has not asserted its exemptions," Benton's letter reads. "While the university continues to be controlled, within the meaning contemplated by Title IX, through its affiliation with the Churches of Christ, the university is committed to complying with Title IX."
Publication date: August 4, 2016
