A University of Montana investigation into alleged sexual assaults unearthed so many cases that it should continue, possibly for as long as another year, according to a report into those allegations.

"The UM has a problem of sexual assault on and off campus and needs to take steps to address it to ensure the safety of all students as well as faculty, staff and guests," wrote former Montana Supreme Court Justice Diane Barz, hired as an independent investigator after allegations that two students were drugged and gang-raped by other students in November and December.

And she wrote that "a rape-tolerant campus with ineffective programming, inadequate support services for victim survivors, and inequitable grievance procedures threatens every student."

Barz's investigation, begun in mid-December, grew to include nine alleged assaults between September 2010 and December 2011. (See related story.) So far, one student faces a criminal charge, although one other student has been expelled and one banned from the UM campus and affiliated sites.

"People may be disappointed about the lack of closure on some of these cases," UM President Royce Engstrom said Wednesday. "All I can say is that we'll continue to investigate as aggressively as we can and do our best to bring these cases to closure."