The women first complained to the university in 2007 and in August took their complaints to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. While the university's probe continues, the matter involving five women is now in private mediation.

The Rutgers investigation comes after a university-appointed faculty committee found "significant evidence" of "biases that have created a difficult environment for women" in the political science department, the university said in a prepared statement.

The committee of four professors from other departments recommended greater oversight of the political science department, a strategic plan for it and a "close review" of all of its faculty salaries.

The department, which is based at Rutgers' main campus in New Brunswick, is made up of 18 male faculty and nine female faculty, according to the university.

The report was completed over the summer and first reported on this week by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The university declined to release the report.