The University spent nearly twice as much on men's athletics as on women's athletics last year, according to a report released yesterday by the Athletic Department.

The spending difference was made public yesterday in compliance with the 1995 Congressional Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA). The act is intended to reinforce Title IX of the 1972 education amendments, which prohibits sex discrimination in education. Since the University receives federal funds, it is required to comply with the EADA.

According to yesterday's report, Harvard spent $2,146,493 on equipment, travel costs and officials for the men's sports teams, and $1,158,438 on the women's teams during the 1995-96 academic year.

While Harvard's figures are less disparate than the national average, according to a 1992 study by the NCAA, the Crimson's female athletes receive less than 35 percent of the athletic operating dollar and less than 20 percent of the recruiting dollar.

And the average salary for the head coach of a men's team is $46,812, while the salary for a comparable coaching position on a women's team is $38,211. Assistant coaches for men's and women's teams are paid $37,700 and $28,322 respectively, the report said.

Neither the Athletic Department administration nor the Office for Government, Community and Public Affairs would comment yesterday on the report.

"It was disappointing, but not surprising," said women's varsity lacrosse coach Carole A. Kleinfelder, who declined to comment further because she hadn't seen the figures.

According to Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68, the numbers are similar to those of an internal study the University conducted two years ago.

In October of 1993, Harvard pledged to spend an additional $200,000 on women's athletics after female athletes pressed charges against Brown University, forcing the school to create four new varsity-level sports for women in 1995.

Lewis referred all comment about this additional funding to the Athletic Department, which refused to comment on the matter.

Lewis said he is "generally happy" with the status of the women's athletic program.

Accounting for the Differences

According to yesterday's report, game management costs--like ticket sales and collection, parking, police and security at football and men's hockey games-- account for the major difference between women's and men's operating expenses.

Football, with operating costs of nearly $600,000, accounts for more than half of the difference.

In addition, the operating costs for the men's crew team run a hefty $242,692, while men's ice hockey costs $229,564. The top operating cost for a women's team is $134,170, for the cross country/track teams.

However, operating expenses are also subject to year-to-year variations.