(Radio Iowa)- A state board has approved a more than four million dollar settlement with former University of Iowa football players who alleged the Hawkeye program was a racially hostile environment for black players. But members of the State Appeals Board raised concerns about management of Iowa athletics. State Treasurer Roby Smith says he has zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind.

Barta, the university’s athletic director, and Ferentz, the football team’s offensive coordinator, were named in the players’ original lawsuit. Despite those reservations, Smith and state budget director Kraig Paulsen voted to approve the settlement, with nearly half of it being covered by state taxdollars and the rest paid out the athletics department budget. Smith called it a good business decision for the state, as Iowans could be on the hook for far more if the case went to trial.

State Auditor Rob Sand opposes having Iowa taxpayers cover two million dollars of the settlement. Sand says this is the fourth discrimination settlement during Gary Barta’s tenure as the university’s athletic director and it’s time for him to go.

Sand held a news conference Monday morning to announce he opposes the settlement and believes Barta should be ousted. Kraig Paulsen, the governor’s budget director, is the third member of the State Appeals Board and he questioned Sand.

Paulsen suggests legislators may have an interest in reviewing the settlement, however.

Barta released a written statement Monday morning about the settlement. He says the University of Iowa Athletic Department remains committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for every student-athlete and staff member involved in the program.