COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Cadets at the Air Force Academy could report rapes to non-cadet authorities, such as law enforcement or the clergy, under proposed changes sought as officials investigate 59 sexual assaults.

Taking rape reports out of the cadet chain of command, along with plans to put female cadets together in dorms, are part of recommendations that Air Force Secretary James Roche and Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper are expected to issue by the end of the month.

The academy has already taken a sexual assault hotline out of the hands of cadets and given it to officers with backgrounds in therapy, cadets told reporters.

"They are going to drastically change the way a young woman reports, who she's responsible to, who takes hold of the situation," said U.S. Rep. Joel Hefley, R-Colo.

The Defense Department's Inspector General, the Air Force and the Air Force Inspector General are investigating dozens of allegations of sexual assault reported by current and former female cadets who said they were ostracized after coming forward.

Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., says 39 women have contacted his office to report being raped at the academy. The academy's nearest civilian rape crisis center says 38 female cadets have sought help from its counselors.

Women have said they felt like second-class citizens and were receiving little support from academy officials, said New York attorney Robert Kaufman, a former member of the Defense Advisory Committee On Women in the Services.

The committee warned the Academy of the womens' unhappiness in 1999, Kaufman said.

He said the Air Force Academy did little to prepare for welcoming women into their ranks in 1976, and had not, by 1999, successfully developed programs or policies for them.

One example of the academy's reluctance, he said, is a sign new cadets see as they arrive on campus.

"Bring Me Men," it says in huge letters.