In his most recent column, "Politics and Misogyny," Bob Herbert of the New York Times writes:

If there was ever a story that deserved more coverage by the news media, it’s the dark persistence of misogyny in America. Sexism in its myriad destructive forms permeates nearly every aspect of American life. For many men, it’s the true national pastime, much bigger than baseball or football.

Little attention is being paid to the toll that misogyny takes on society in general, and women and girls in particular.

He is reacting to the gender issues raised by the current presidential campaign, but his words sure do resonate within the world of the female athlete.

Consider that today the University of North Carolina settled the sexual harassment case against legendary women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance. Former player Melissa Jennings will drop her lawsuit and receive $385,000.

Dorrance has apologized to Jennings and his former players for his admitted misconduct, and UNC will conduct a comprehensive review of all of its sexual harassment policies.

Writes Title IX blogger Erin:

According to the Charlotte Observer, by settling UNC avoids "a bruising public trial that could have further hurt its reputation" and that "some had predicted... would set important precedents about the relationship between coaches and players." But I think the important precedent-setting work was already accomplished by the 4th Circuit's decision, which confirms that it is illegal under Title IX for universities to ignore sexually hostile environments created by their coaches.

I also think that Dorrance's admission that leading his players in group discussions about their sexual activities and relationships with men was "inappropriate and unacceptable" goes a long way to vindicating Jennings's claims. It is unfortunate, however, that a coach can admit such egregious conduct and still get paid to coach college athletes.

Agreed.

But does anyone else find it simply breathtaking that there is ANY university out there that has NOT already had a comprehensive review of their sexual harassment policies? Or their policy on professor-coach-university employee/student relationships?

Or that they haven't pro-actively shared those policies with their students and employees?

Bloody hell.

Have they learned NOTHING from the LSU/Chatman situation (whatever the hell went on)?

Have educational institutions learned NOTHING from the Rick Lopez situation? Or the countless similar situations across the country?

Even if they don't care about the welfare of their students -- female AND male -- you'd think the simple fear of bad publicity and an expensive lawsuit would spur them to action.

Honestly, it's not so hard to do. John Borkowski, a New Orleans attorney who specializes in education law, has a check list for school districts that is easily applied to the any organization involved with sports:

1. Does your district have clear policies regarding sexual harassment, both verbal and physical? Do they address harassment of students by other students, harassment of students by staff, and harassment of employees by other employees or higher-level officials?

2. Is the guiding principal of these policies creating a safe, respectful environment for learning?

3. Do the policies:

• define harassment?
• require staff to report possible harassment and intervene to stop it?
• identify people who can receive harassment reports?
• list possible consequences for harassers?

4. Have you appointed someone to coordinate prevention efforts and receive harassment reports?

5. Do your personnel policies and student code of conduct also prohibit harassment and provide for effective discipline?

6. Have you made parents, students, and staff members aware of your policies?

7. Have staff members assigned to respond to harassment reports been taught how to conduct thorough investigations?

8. Is the district prepared to fully document the scope and findings of any investigations?

9. Is the district ready to deal with any privacy concerns?

10. Do district staff know which incidents must be referred to law enforcement in your state?

So, to today's reader -- be it coach, player, SID, fan, reporter or random visitor -- I offer this simple challenge: Tomorrow go ask how your favorite institution measures up.