Cornell president pledges reforms after student alleges fraternity gang rape
Cornell University president Michael Kotlikoff said the school must improve its response to sexual assault following a civil lawsuit by a student who claims she was drugged and raped by fraternity members.
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff released an eight-minute video statement on Saturday, saying the institution must improve its handling of sexual assault cases after a student, identified as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was drugged with ketamine and gang-raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity on Oct. 19, 2024. Kotlikoff described the allegations as "deeply disturbing" and said the university is "committed to investigating" the way the case was handled, adding that the community must foster a culture where sexual assault is unequivocally unacceptable.
Jane Doe, a 20-year-old student, reported the incident to Cornell police two weeks after it occurred, but no criminal charges were filed. In her lawsuit, she contends the university failed to protect her and to adequately punish the alleged perpetrators.
During a public hearing, students expressed disappointment with the university’s response, calling for swift and substantial changes to administration policies. Kotlikoff said the university will examine the role of fraternities and sororities on campus and emphasized that group affiliation does not diminish individual responsibility.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she was "deeply disturbed" by the investigation’s handling and has tasked Attorney General Letitia James with reviewing the case. Kotlikoff indicated that, at an appropriate time, Cornell will outline how it intends to use the incident to advance broader efforts to combat sexual assault on and beyond its campus.