In an effort to improve Title IX compliance across statewide campuses, the University of Tennessee announced the reported findings of an independent commission. This comes nearly one year after the university settled a Title IX lawsuit. The commission recommended that the university create a Title IX coordinator position system-wide. Over a six month period, the commission reviewed documents, conducted interviews with administrators and staff and hosted a series of focus groups with students on UT’s three campuses. In its report, the commission said there’s been a focus on increasing awareness and understanding about sexual misconduct policies and procedures geared towards preventing incidents from occurring. The commission found that overall the Title IX programs and policies were being implemented. But, also found opportunities for improvement. In July of 2016, the University of Tennessee paid $2.5 million to settle a lawsuit from eight young women who claim the school violated title nine laws and created a “hostile sexual environment” by showing indifference about assaults committed by athletes.