The university’s motivation to cut men’s varsity sports to comply with Title IX is understandable, but it should look into other ways of encouraging gender diversity in athletics without having to cut programs.

MSU Athletics Director Clarence Underwood announced in April 2000 that the men’s gymnastics team would be cut as a varsity sport because of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Originally, the team was to be eliminated after the 2000 season, but team members were able to negotiate one more season. The final season will end this week.

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. It was amended to help promote equality between genders in athletics.

The amendment allows schools to comply in 17 different ways. Failure to adhere to the guidelines can result in disciplinary action by the Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education.

MSU uses a population-based method; the percentage of male and female athletes must be within 2 percent of the undergraduate population.

Cutting men’s teams to promote equality defeats the purpose of Title IX. By turning the amendment into something that eliminates instead of adds sports, it is given a bad name. Efforts should be made to make the requirement positive.

The university should take the time to reevaluate other ways to comply with Title IX. With 17 different options, at least one is bound to allow for adding and not eliminating.

The university should also consider alternative plans brought forth by programs in danger of being cut.

The men’s lacrosse and fencing teams were cut in 1997 to meet Big Ten regulations that women must comprise at least 40 percent of varsity athletes. The fencing coach found MSU alumni willing to donate $100,000 to keep the men’s program and establish a women’s team.

This plan could have helped save a team in addition to promoting gender equality in athletics. Women’s ice hockey, for example is pushing for varsity status. By adding this and other teams, the university could comply with the regulations in a positive manner.

Money will always be an issue concerning sports. Funding should also be examined to find ways to increase diversity without eliminating programs or greatly affecting the financial status of the athletics department.

However, because money is a motivating factor in the decision to cut sports, the university’s actions are understandable. Sports like men’s gymnastics do not bring in revenue or fans like basketball, football or hockey.

It is unfortunate that teams have to be cut to comply with equality regulations, but the move is understandable. However, the university should make the effort to explore options that prevent programs from being cut and allow for the addition of new ones.

The pursuit of diversity should not be achieved through elimination.