Feds will investigate sexual assaults at UNC-CH

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The U.S. Education Department says it will investigate a complaint filed by five women about the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's handling of sexual assault cases.

The department's Office for Civil Rights said in a March 1 letter that it's opening an investigation because it's determined that the office has jurisdiction and the complaint was filed in a timely manner. The letter advises that the review doesn't mean the office has determined the complaint has merit.

The students released the letter Wednesday. Junior Andrea Pino says she's pleased that the office will investigate. The 21-year-old filed the complaint in January, along with former student Annie Clark and three other women.

UNC spokeswoman Karen Moon says the school will cooperate fully with the investigation.