Probe focuses on Iowa

The University of Iowa is facing a wide-ranging federal civil rights investigation into allegations that its athletics department does not provide equal opportunities for female athletes, correspondence obtained by The Associated Press shows.

The Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education is looking into gender bias allegations in 13 areas, including how the department counts participation levels, awards scholarships, schedules practices and games and delivers services such as tutoring, medical attention, housing and dining. A team of investigators will visit the Iowa City campus in April, according to documents released under the open records law.

The department’s equipment, locker rooms and facilities are also part of the review, which comes as its men’s basketball and football teams have been enjoying high national rankings.

If discrimination is found, the investigation could result in a settlement requiring the university to change policies, spend more money on women’s athletics or even add another women’s sport. But the review could take years.