Appendix IX: Comments &om the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 



To fully comply with Title IX regulations the NASA Administrator should continue to 

 implement the Agency's compliance review program to ensure that onsite compliance 

 reviews of grantees are periodically conducted." 



During the past year, NASA has taken steps to reactivate its previously dormant 

 Title K compliance program. In FV 2003, NASA began implementing its Title IX 

 compliance program through a desk audit review of grantee compliance with Title EX 

 regulatory provisions. In June 2003, NASA published in the Federal Register a Notice of 

 Request for Information, stating that the information collected would be "analyzed and 

 used by NASA to determine NASA grant recipients' compHance with Title DC of the 

 Education AmendmcnU of 1972." 68 Fed. Reg. 37866 (June 25, 2003). 



In December 2003, the NASA principal compliance officer for Title DC issued a 

 letter to all NASA grant recipients requesting information on whether the recipient had, 

 pursuant to Title DC requirements: (1) designated an employee to act as the 'Title DC 

 coordinator," (2) adopted and published internal grievance procedures to promptly and 

 equitably resolve complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of sex in its education 

 programs or activities; 3) taken specific steps to regularly and consistently notify the 

 pubUc, i.e., participants, employees, applicants, etc., that it does not discriminate on the 

 basis of sex in fiie operation of its education programs and activities, and (4) conducted a 

 self-evaluation to evaluate current policies and practices and the effects of such policies 

 and practices on the admission and treatment of shidents, and flie employment of 

 academic and non-academic personnel working in connection with the recipient 

 education program or activity. 



At present, NASA is reviewing the grant recipient responses to systematically 

 identify grant recipient compliance, identify problem areas, and assist in the targeting of 

 recipients for possible onsite compliance reviews. 



Again, thank you for the critical insights the report provided. We assure you diat 

 we are well on our way to fully implementing our Title DC compliance program. 



Cordially, 



Frederick D. Gregd 

 Deputy Administrator 



Page 46 GAO-04-639 Gender Issues 



