The University of Iowa will soon hire an independent firm to conduct an external review of university employment practices based on the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

The review will begin with the UI Athletics Department.

According to a press release from Jeneane Beck, the UI assistant vice president for External Relations, UI President Bruce Harreld announced a firm will be selected through a Request for Proposal process with representatives from administration, faculty, staff, and students.

The move comes a day after Jane Meyer, the former UI senior associate athletics director, was awarded $1.43 million in a case in which the jury ruled Meyer had been discriminated against by the UI for her gender and her sexual orientation.

Meyer was compensated for lost wages and emotional distress, past and future. The jury of five women and three men heard testimony from Athletics Director Gary Barta, football coach Kirk Ferentz, wrestling coach Tom Brands, and baseball coach Rick Heller, among several others.

— by Katelyn Weisbrod