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Univ. of Montana investigating date-rape claim

MISSOULA (AP) — The University of Montana brought in an outside investigator to review allegations that two female students may have been given a date-rape drug and sexually assaulted by male students, a campus official said.

Former state Supreme Court Justice Diane Barz will begin the investigation Thursday, university Vice President Jim Foley told the Missoulian (http://bit.ly/uPPrvX ).

Barz has been asked to complete her review by the end of the year.

The allegations surfaced in the past few days, Foley said.

"Through this investigation, we'll determine what occurred and take immediate steps to resolve this situation," Foley said. "We'll cooperate fully with the Missoula Police Department to move any possible criminal investigation forward."

Missoula Police Chief Mark Muir said no one has made a formal complaint.

"If they come up with something and they are able to convince the victims to come forward with criminal charges, absolutely we will pursue it," Muir said.

Lucy France, head of UM's Equality, Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office, along with Dean of Students Charles Couture will assist Barz in the investigation.

"Our major concern is the safety of these alleged victims and all students on campus, and we've taken steps to assure that," Foley said.

He would not detail the steps or say whether any suspected assailants remained on campus.

Foley said UM sent emails to students on Friday about alcohol and drug use and the danger of date rape.

"The e-communication was not specifically as a result of this," he said. "It was broader than that."

 

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