David Jesse

USA TODAY Sports

The federal Office of Civil Rights is investigating the University of Michigan's handling of the Brendan Gibbons case involving allegations the former Michigan football player raped another student.

According to a letter sent by the department on Monday to former Michigan employee Doug Smith, the office has received two complaints in the matter. Smith filed one of the complaints in August 2013. It's not known who filed the other complaint.

"OCR has determined it is appropriate to proceed with an investigation on the following issue: that the University failed to promptly and equitable respond to complaints reports and/or incidents of sexual violence of which it had notice, and as a result students were subjected to a sexually hostile environment" the letter to Smith, dated Feb. 24, says. "As part of that investigation OCR will review the University's Title IX grievance procedure including how it is being implemented in sexual harassment including sexual violence cases."

The OCR could not be immediately reached for comment.

Michigan spokesman Rick Fitzgerald confirmed the investigation.

"We're very proud of our student sexual misconduct policy, our prevention efforts and our programs to support survivors of sexual misconduct" he said in a statement. "We will fully cooperate with the Department of Education and we believe that a review of our policy, programs and investigations will conclude that the University of Michigan is doing what it should in this important area."

Gibbons, a former kicker for Michigan, was "permanently separated" from the university in December under school policy, the Michigan Daily reported last month.

Gibbons, a fifth-year player who had been taking graduate school classes, was removed for "violating the university's Student Sexual Misconduct Policy," based on a letter the campus newspaper said was sent to Gibbons' Florida home on Dec. 19 by Michigan's Office of Student Conflict Resolution. The office deals with disciplinary proceedings against students.

After being Michigan's starting kicker for the past four seasons, Gibbons did not play in the Nov. 30 Ohio State game due to what coach Brady Hoke later described as a muscle problem. That was 10 days after a separate document, reviewed by the Daily, cited there was "a preponderance of evidence" against an individual that "engaged in unwanted or unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature." The Daily identified Gibbons as that individual.

Gibbons, 22, did not travel with the team to the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl in Tempe, Ariz., in December. Hoke told reporters that Gibbons was dealing with a family matter in Florida.

Former Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman has said athletics had no role in the Gibbons case.

David Jesse also writes for The Detroit Free Press.