The University's Athletic Department is investigating allegations that Lady Lion basketball coach Rene Portland discriminates against lesbians, an athletic director said at Tuesday's Faculty Senate meeting.

"Indeed we are dealing within the athletic department on this particular matter at this time," Ellen Perry, associate athletic director, said.

During an interview Tuesday, Portland responded to questions on her policy regarding lesbians by saying, "I will not comment on that issue."

An article in the Philadelphia Inquirer on March 10 quoted former and current team players and other coaches who said Portland openly prevents lesbians from joining her team.

People quoted in the article suggested that Portland seeks to shelter her players from the stereotype that labels female athletes as gay, and from the possible dissent on the team if lesbians were allowed.

"(The article) has caused a bit of a stir," Perry said. "Intercollegiate Athletics at this University is well aware of our responsibilities to uphold the rules and regulations."

After the meeting, Perry refused to identify specific actions being taken and said only that it is a personnel matter. Perry also would not comment on a news article in the Chicago Sun Times in 1986 about Portland's policy, saying she was only recently hired.

Director of the Women's Studies Program Lynne Goodstein and another faculty senator asked Perry to comment further on the article and on what actions the athletic department is taking. Perry, however, declined to specify how the department is handling the issue.

"I think that any of us who have been here recognize that there is a long way to go in the whole realm of tolerance," Perry said. "In Intercollegiate Athletics, as the rest of us, we are just trying to find ways in which we can effectively educate and deal with these issues."

Several campus groups protested at Saturday's Lady Lions basketball game against James Madison University, calling Portland's alleged policy homophobic.

The University has not made a formal statement about Portland's policy or the Inquirer article.

"I don't have any further information at this time," University Public Information spokeswoman Vicki Fong said.

Portland's players also refused to comment.

"We as players just really have no comment on that situation," Susan Robinson (junior-exercise and sports science) said yesterday.