Cornell president pledges reforms after fraternity assault allegations

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said the institution must improve its handling of sexual assault after a lawsuit alleged that seven former Chi Phi fraternity brothers drugged and assaulted a 20-year-old student in October 2024. Kotlikoff announced that an outside law firm will conduct an independent review of the university’s response and that the school supports Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to refer the criminal investigation to New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The president said Cornell will not wait for the reviews to finish before implementing changes to prevention and education, student support, mental-health and substance-use resources, and investigative procedures. > "We will act," Kotlikoff said.

The lawsuit, filed last month, accuses the former fraternity members of sexual assault and rape and names Cornell and other entities. The men have denied wrongdoing, and no criminal charges have been filed. The investigation was reopened after the Tompkins County district attorney said his office had not received the full transcript of the victim’s interview with campus police. Attorney General James has described the case as an active criminal investigation.

Kotlikoff also said the university will increase transparency within legal and privacy limits and will reexamine the role of fraternities and sororities on campus, as well as support efforts to amend New York’s sexual-assault laws. "You have my commitment that this will not be a moment that passes," he added.