IU Athletics Earns Perfect Athletic Equality Index Score
3/2/2020 1:09:00 PM | General
Bloomington, Indiana – The Indiana University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics was one of only eight Power 5 athletic departments to earn a perfect Athletic Equality Index (AEI) score of 100 by Athlete Ally. The report and subsequent score analyzes how NCAA Power 5 Conferences are utilizing policies to support their LGBTQ+ student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans.
This is the second iteration of the AEI score, which was first released in 2017. Indiana's improvement from a 58.0 in the initial report to its perfect 100.0 represented the third largest improvement among all Power 5 Conference schools, and the single largest improvement among all schools that earned a perfect score of 100.
"We are very proud of our perfect AEI score, which reflects our department's commitment to diversity and inclusivity among our students, staff, and fans," said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass. "We take great pride in creating an environment that is welcoming to all Hoosiers both through our policies and our actions."
"I am incredibly proud of the work our athletic department has done in creating an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ athletes on campus. At Indiana University, we strive to foster an environment where, regardless? of background, all students can thrive. The athletic department's 100 percent AEI score demonstrates IU's inclusive spirit and affirms our commitment to valuing and supporting all athletes," said James C. Wimbush, IU vice president for diversity, equity, and multicultural affairs, dean of The University Graduate School, and Johnson Chair for Diversity and Leadership.
In determining each athletic department's Athletic Equality Index score, researchers performed a comprehensive audit of each institutions' handbooks, policy manuals, and websites to identify the policies of every NCAA Division I institution within the Power Five. The categories that comprised each institution's score were:
1. Comprehensive Nondiscrimination Policies
2. LGBTQ+ Resources and Educational Materials
3. An Inclusive Fan Code of Conduct
4. Policies for Transgender Student-Athlete Inclusion
5. Student-Athlete Initiatives Relative to LGBTQ+ Inclusion
6. Out or Ally-Trained Athletics Staff Members
7. A Co-Hosted Event supporting LGBTQ+ Inclusion
8. A Recurring LGBTQ+ Inclusive Initiative or Campaign
Among the findings from the most recent AEI report:
- The Big Ten's combined score of 83.3 ranked second among the five Power 5 Conferences, barely trailing only the Pac-12's 83.5.
- On average, scores for all 65 schools increased by 10.3 points.
- The eight schools to earn a 100 on this year's AEI: Indiana; Duke; Miami; Ohio State; Illinois; Texas; Cal-Berkeley; and Southern California.
This is the second iteration of the AEI score, which was first released in 2017. Indiana's improvement from a 58.0 in the initial report to its perfect 100.0 represented the third largest improvement among all Power 5 Conference schools, and the single largest improvement among all schools that earned a perfect score of 100.
"We are very proud of our perfect AEI score, which reflects our department's commitment to diversity and inclusivity among our students, staff, and fans," said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass. "We take great pride in creating an environment that is welcoming to all Hoosiers both through our policies and our actions."
"I am incredibly proud of the work our athletic department has done in creating an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ athletes on campus. At Indiana University, we strive to foster an environment where, regardless? of background, all students can thrive. The athletic department's 100 percent AEI score demonstrates IU's inclusive spirit and affirms our commitment to valuing and supporting all athletes," said James C. Wimbush, IU vice president for diversity, equity, and multicultural affairs, dean of The University Graduate School, and Johnson Chair for Diversity and Leadership.
In determining each athletic department's Athletic Equality Index score, researchers performed a comprehensive audit of each institutions' handbooks, policy manuals, and websites to identify the policies of every NCAA Division I institution within the Power Five. The categories that comprised each institution's score were:
1. Comprehensive Nondiscrimination Policies
2. LGBTQ+ Resources and Educational Materials
3. An Inclusive Fan Code of Conduct
4. Policies for Transgender Student-Athlete Inclusion
5. Student-Athlete Initiatives Relative to LGBTQ+ Inclusion
6. Out or Ally-Trained Athletics Staff Members
7. A Co-Hosted Event supporting LGBTQ+ Inclusion
8. A Recurring LGBTQ+ Inclusive Initiative or Campaign
Among the findings from the most recent AEI report:
- The Big Ten's combined score of 83.3 ranked second among the five Power 5 Conferences, barely trailing only the Pac-12's 83.5.
- On average, scores for all 65 schools increased by 10.3 points.
- The eight schools to earn a 100 on this year's AEI: Indiana; Duke; Miami; Ohio State; Illinois; Texas; Cal-Berkeley; and Southern California.
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