Cornell president says university 'must do better' on handling of sexual assault allegations
Cornell University Faces New Sexual‑Assault Investigation After Lawsuit Alleging Fraternity‑Related Rape
Ithaca, N.Y. – Cornell University has announced that it will take immediate action to address a sexual‑assault case involving a former Chi Phi fraternity brother and a former Cornell undergraduate. The case, which has prompted an independent legal review and a criminal investigation by the New York Attorney General, has put the university’s handling of campus sexual‑assault allegations under scrutiny.
The Allegations
In October 2024, a 20‑year‑old Cornell student—referred to in court documents as Jane Doe—filed a 101‑page lawsuit accusing seven former Chi Phi fraternity brothers of drugging and sexually assaulting her during a party at the fraternity house. Doe’s claims say the men used drugs to incapacitate her before forcing sexual acts on her. The men have denied wrongdoing, with some asserting the encounter was consensual and others denying any participation.
No criminal charges have yet been filed against the alleged perpetrators. The case has, however, drawn the attention of state law‑enforcement officials.
State Investigation
After the lawsuit was filed, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten discovered that the county’s office had not received the complete transcript of Doe’s November 2024 interview with Cornell University Police. When the missing transcript was provided, the DA’s office reopened the investigation. Governor Kathy Hochul subsequently appointed the New York Attorney General’s Office to act as a special prosecutor. Attorney General Letitia James has confirmed that her office is conducting an “active criminal investigation” into the incident.
Cornell’s Response
On Saturday, President Michael Kotlikoff released a video statement addressed to the Cornell community. Kotlikoff acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and expressed sympathy for the victim. He said the university must “do better” in preventing and responding to sexual assault, and that the university is committed to investigating the case thoroughly.
Kotlikoff welcomed the independent review by an outside law firm into the university’s handling of the situation. He also said Cornell would not wait for the outcome of that review before making changes. Planned reforms include enhancing prevention and education programs, expanding student‑support services, improving mental‑health and substance‑use resources, and revising investigative processes.
In addition, Kotlikoff said Cornell will reexamine the role of fraternities and sororities on campus and will support efforts to update New York’s sexual‑assault laws. He promised greater transparency in communications about the university’s response, noting that “there are real legal and privacy limits on what we can say, but we will make a greater effort to explain what we can.”
The Larger Context
The case has raised concerns about campus party culture, alcohol and drug use, and the broader environment in which sexual‑assault allegations can occur. It has also prompted discussions about the adequacy of existing campus policies and the legal protections afforded to victims who may have been incapacitated.
Cornell has said it will act to address these issues, emphasizing that the incident “will weigh heavily on our community for years to come” and that “this will not be a moment that passes.”
Next Steps
The independent legal review, the state criminal investigation, and the university’s internal reforms will likely continue to unfold over the coming months. Cornell’s leadership has pledged to keep the campus community informed as more details emerge and as policies are updated to prevent similar incidents in the future.
