A Trump-era change to Title IX, implemented as part of a sweeping effort to strengthen due process, has made it too difficult to discipline college athletes accused of sexual misconduct, according to critics of the new rule.
The U.S. Department of Education instituted a rule change in 2020 that prohibits schools from imposing "disciplinary, punitive or unreasonably burdensome" sanctions during sexual misconduct investigations. Removal from a sports team was among the actions the government said could be deemed unreasonable. The rule was designed to ensure due process for the accused, but some coaches and others are concerned that the pendulum has swung too far.