Mar 25, 2010 9:11:12 AM

Russlynn Ali, the U.S. Assistant Secretary for the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, will be the keynote speaker at the NCAA Gender Equity and Issues Forum April 25-27 in Chicago.

Ali will discuss federal government priorities, education and enforcement initiatives related to intercollegiate athletics.

She is responsible for enforcing U.S. civil rights laws pertaining to education and ensuring the nation's schools, colleges and universities receiving federal funding do not engage in discriminatory conduct related to race, sex, disability or age.

Other items on the agenda include:

• An overview of the NCAA/Equity in Athletics Data Analysis Financial Report data collection
• Title IX overview discussing audits, sexual harassment and retaliation cases
• Developing policy on gender-equity and sexual-orientation issues
• Challenges with social networking
• Fund-raising   

Other speakers at the event include Janet Judge of Sports Law Associates; Nancy Hogshead-Makar, Florida Coastal School of Law; Mimi Griffin, MSG Promotions; Neena Chaudhry, National Women's Law Center; Judy Sweet, Strategic Solutions for Gender Equity and Athletics; Chris Voelz, Women's Sports Foundation; and chairs from the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics and the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee.

Faculty from Manhattan, Ithaca, Bowling Green, Oklahoma, Illinois College, Carthage, North Carolina and Western New England will participate on panels.

More information on registration and hotel accommodations can be found here.