NEW BRUNSWICK -- Rutgers University officials say they have no plans to give back a high-profile donation from Harvey Weinstein as the film mogul battles allegations that he has sexually harassed women for decades.

Weinstein contributed $100,000 to the state university as was one of the lead donors to the school's new Gloria Steinem Chair in Media, Culture, and Feminist Studies. More than 425 people, including several celebrities, contributed to a $3 million campaign to fund the chair to honor Steinem, a feminist icon.

The donation came before the release of a New York Times investigation this week that found Weinstein allegedly has a long history of sexually harassing women, including actresses Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan.

Weinstein apologized for his past behavior in the story and said Thursday he plans to take a leave of absence from his company "to deal with this issue head on." However, his attorney also said Weinstein plans to sue the New York Times over inaccuracies in the report.

A Rutgers spokesman said the university is not having any second thoughts about using Weinstein's money to fund its new chair in honor of a women's rights activist.

"Harvey Weinstein and the H. Weinstein Family Foundation contributed a gift of $100,000 in honor of his late mother, who shared Gloria Steinem's hopes for female equality. We can think of no better use of this donation than to continue this important work," said Karen Smith, a Rutgers spokeswoman.

Weinstein, 65, has supported women's causes in the past despite having settled at least eight sexual harassment complaints, the New York Times report said.

The Gloria Steinem chair was approved by the Rutgers Board of Governors at a meeting in June. The $3 million raised will be used to hire a media and feminist studies professor to teach and do research on the ways new media and technology are reshaping culture, Rutgers officials said.

A committee led by Oxygen Media co-founder Geraldine Laybourne and Working Mother Media senior vice president Subha Barry helped lead the fundraising effort, which drew gifts from more than 400 individuals and 12 foundation.

In addition to Weinstein, the celebrity donors included filmmaker George Lucas, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg and newspaper publisher Mortimer Zuckerman.

Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at " on Facebook.