KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Chancellor Jimmy Cheek says any assertions that his university doesn't take sexual assault seriously enough "is simply not true."

A federal lawsuit has been filed against the university stating that Tennessee violates Title IX regulations and creates a "hostile sexual environment" through a policy of indifference toward assaults by athletes. Eight unidentified women are plaintiffs.

Cheek said in an email to students, faculty and staff members on Monday that he couldn't specifically address the allegations. But he added that "to claim that we have allowed a culture to exist contrary to our institutional commitment to providing a safe environment for our students or that we do not support those who report sexual assault is just false."

The Knoxville News-Sentinel first reported about the email.