In this year-end episode, Kayleigh and Joe welcome TNG Partner and ATIXA President Saundra K. Schuster, J.D., M.S., whose decades of expertise have shaped the Title IX field’s approach to pregnancy protections. Together, they visit the ghost of regulations past, examining the original 1975 Title IX framework and its foundational protections for pregnant students.

Saundra discusses why institutions should continue to offer modifications and support for pregnant and parenting students, sharing best practices from the now-rescinded 2024 rule. She explains how pregnancy-related needs differ from disability accommodations and why she doesn’t expect significant federal changes soon. Even so, Saundra notes a major update from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding support animals in shared living spaces.

If you are wondering what compliance looks like in 2026, we are more likely than not covering it in this week’s episode.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It's not legal advice and shouldn't be relied on as such. If you're navigating a specific issue, always consult with your institution's general counsel or a qualified attorney familiar with Title IX and applicable state laws.

This week on More Likely Than Not, Kayleigh and Joe explore the ripple effects of the federal government shutdown. At the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), investigations are paused, updates to resolution agreements have stalled, and technical assistance is all but nonexistent. Title IX practitioners are left navigating compliance in the dark, literally, after OCR’s website went offline for nearly a day.

During Overheard on the Listserv, they address a member’s question about ATIXA’s One Policy, Two Procedures (1P2P) model. They explain why 1P2P includes two additional appeal grounds beyond the three required by Title IX regulations and how these additions set a best-practice standard.

If you’re wondering whether you imagined a third Title IX vacatur, it’s real, and we’re more likely than not covering it in this week’s episode.

This week on More Likely Than Not, Kayleigh and Joe welcome colleague W. Scott Lewis, J.D., Managing Partner at TNG and Chair of the NABITA Advisory Board. They discuss how Title IX compliance and equity are moving targets, with Little v. Hecox and BPJ v. West Virginia poised to shape national policy on transgender athletes.

They also explore whether esports should fall under Title IX, and the complexities of harassment in male-dominated online spaces. Scott and the hosts discuss the debate over equitable NIL payments for male and female athletes, raising important questions about balancing market-based compensation with Title IX’s equity standards that could affect scholarships, travel, and resources. The conversation also touches on the potential for emerging sports like competitive cheer and dance to be recognized under Title IX.

If you’re wondering how pending court decisions will impact athletic programs or how to ensure policy and training compliance, we’re more likely than not covering it in this week’s episode.