AAUW has provided millions of dollars to support hundreds of cases. Learn more about current cases we are supporting.
Current Cases
LAF challenges sex discrimination in higher education and the workplace.
Complainant, The University of Colorado Boulder
A sexual assault student victim at the University of Colorado Boulder reported under Title IX to the University, where her case was considered under one of the new tribunals created by damaging Title IX regulations that went into effect in August 2020. The student’s attorney navigated her rights in the investigative and disciplinary process, which involved significant procedural irregularities and inequities creating barriers to the exercise of her rights under Title IX.
Sharif v. Regents of University of California
Rana Sharif, a Palestinian-American educator, researcher, feminist, and community advocate, was a Ph.D. student at the University of California, Los Angeles. After having two children during graduate school, including one with health issues, Sharif was abruptly and arbitrarily disqualified from her doctoral program without notice, and within months of completing her dissertation – allegedly for exceeding her department’s recommended “time to degree.”
Joseph v. Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia et al.
MaChelle Joseph is the former Head Coach of the Georgia Institute of Technology’s women’s basketball team, which she successfully led for 16 years. The university’s athletic department, however, afforded Coach Joseph and her team significantly fewer benefits and resources than it provided to the men’s basketball team. Soon after Coach Joseph filed a complaint about this discriminatory treatment, the university suspended and ultimately terminated her employment.
Miller v. Sam Houston State University/Texas State University System
Dr. Audrey K. Miller, an expert in gender violence, trauma, and forensic psychology, was a tenure-track Assistant Professor of psychology at Sam Houston State University. Despite her excellent performance reviews and nominations for university awards, Dr. Miller was denied promotion and tenure after she expressed concern to administrators about discriminatory treatment that she and other women in her department had experienced.
Paige v. USAID
Three women, each of whom worked for USAID for more than 27 years in overseas posts, achieved the highest rank in the Senior Foreign Service (Career Minister). But in 2016, each discovered that, despite their greater seniority and higher rank, they were paid considerably less than dozens of lower ranking and less experienced male Senior Foreign Service officers.
Freyd v. University of Oregon
Jennifer J. Freyd has been a Professor in the University of Oregon’s Psychology Department for more than 30 years and is a national leader in the field of trauma psychology. She is the most senior staff member of University of Oregon’s Psychology Department based on years in rank. Her salary, however, is substantially less than that of several of her less-senior male colleagues.
Jane Doe v. The University of Kentucky
To ensure access to education for women and girls, AAUW advocates for the full protections of Title IX. AAUW’s Legal Advocacy Fund supports this case to reform the sexual assault hearing process on campuses. Currently, alleged assailants have multiple opportunities to re-victimize survivors through the hearings process, under the guise of due process.
Portz v. St. Cloud State University et al.
Portz v. St. Cloud State University et al. is a case involving 10 female student athletes who filed a lawsuit against St. Cloud State University (SCSU) and Minnesota State College and University Systems alleging violations of Title IX.
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