The University of Texas is investigating an allegation that state Sen. Charles Schwertner sent a sexually explicit image and text message to a graduate student he met at an on-campus event this summer, three senior UT officials with knowledge of the investigation told the American-Statesman.

If the allegation is deemed true, the university would consider banning Schwertner from campus, two of the officials said. The third official said the university is also considering hiring outside legal counsel to investigate further.

Through a spokesman, Schwertner on Tuesday said he "categorically denies any knowledge of the accusations" and plans to cooperate with UT’s investigation.

The student met Schwertner, a Georgetown Republican and a UT alumnus, at an on-campus event to which Schwertner was invited and told him she was interested in working at the Legislature, according to two of the officials. After the event, they exchanged messages on the networking site LinkedIn before moving to text messaging, the two officials said.

During an otherwise professional exchange on networking and career advice, Schwertner abruptly wrote, "I just really want to f—- you," and sent her an image that appeared to be a picture of his genitals that was taken in the shower, according to a UT official who has seen the exchange and the photo. The image does not include his face, the official said. The Statesman has not seen the photo.

The student told Schwertner that she thought he had acted inappropriately, the officials said, and Schwertner did not respond. The student then reported Schwertner’s behavior to the school, prompting the investigation, they said.

All UT officials interviewed by the Statesman declined to reveal the identity of the student out of respect for her privacy and to honor the promise of confidentiality that the university made to her when she reported the incident. Student privacy laws also prohibit the university from disclosing the student’s name.

The officials, who declined to be identified because they are not authorized to speak on the matter, said that the investigation into Schwertner has not found any potentially criminal misconduct.

Schwertner campaign spokesman Tom Holloway said Tuesday in a statement, "The Senator categorically denies any knowledge of the accusations leveled against him and only became aware of this allegation when contacted by the media late this afternoon. The Senator is eager to cooperate with the University of Texas and hopes to make clear he played no part in the behavior described."

In a statement, UT spokesman Gary Susswein said the university does not discuss ongoing investigations "in order to protect the integrity of the investigative process."

"The University of Texas takes all allegations of wrongdoing seriously and encourages members of the campus community to report them immediately. We strive to investigate complaints thoroughly and quickly while respecting the confidentiality of students and employees who file complaints and those accused of wrongdoing," Susswein wrote. "UT is strongly committed to fostering a safe campus environment and to providing needed support and resources to victims."

The investigation into Schwertner’s behavior comes as the #MeToo movement has fueled a national reckoning over sexual misconduct by men in positions power in industries including the news media, politics, entertainment and higher education.

Schwertner is the third member of the Texas Senate to face such allegations since 2017. There are 31 members of the Senate, and 23 are men.

Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, and former Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, who has since resigned after being convicted on fraud and money laundering charges, were both accused of inappropriate behavior with women in and around the Capitol, the Daily Beast reported. Miles and Uresti have denied wrongdoing.

The movement created pressure for the Legislature to revamp processes for handling complaints about sexual harassment in the Capitol. The Senate in May 2017 approved a new policy on sexual harassment.

The Statesman on Monday filed a request under the Texas Public Information Act for UT to provide any complaints made by students about Schwertner’s behavior, investigative reports produced by UT following complaints about Schwertner, evidence gathered in those investigations and communications between the university and the senator regarding any investigations into his behavior.

A sixth-generation Texan and an orthopedic surgeon, Schwertner, 48, earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from UT before completing a medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

His legislative website says, "Charles Schwertner is a physician, family man, and life-long conservative." He lives in Georgetown with his wife and three sons.

Schwertner chairs the powerful Health and Human Services Committee and is a member of the finance, state affairs and business and commerce committees. He also serves on the Joint Interim Committee on Higher Education Formula Funding.

Schwertner was first elected to the House in 2010 and moved up to the Senate in 2013, when he replaced retiring GOP Sen. Steve Ogden. Texas Monthly in 2013 named him the freshman senator "most likely to succeed." It has named him to its list of worst legislators after the last two legislative sessions.

He won re-election in 2014 and is on the ballot again on Nov. 6, facing a challenge from Democrat Meg Walsh.

His Republican-leaning district includes Williamson, Milam, Robertson, Limestone, Freestone, Leon, Walker, Madison, Grimes and Brazos counties. In 2016, President Trump won 57 percent of the vote in the district, while Hillary Clinton took 36 percent.

Staff writer Ralph Haurwitz contributed material.