Cornell students vandalize administration building in protest over handling of rape allegations

Student activists broke a glass door and painted slogans on the walls of Day Hall, the main administrative building at Cornell University, during the early hours of Monday. The messages, including “SMASH THE PATRIARCHY” and a statement that “Cornell rapists are protected, protestors are expelled,” were applied in red paint, and a security camera above one of the messages was also covered.

The vandalism was linked to a civil lawsuit alleging a 2024 gang-rape by members of the Chi Phi fraternity and to broader protests against institutional power structures, according to a statement obtained by the campus newspaper. The activists said they aimed to disrupt the normal operations of the university’s administrative hub.

“We understand the frustration and strong emotions being expressed across our community. Those concerns deserve to be heard, but damaging property is not the answer,” said Kyle Kimball, a Cornell spokesperson, adding that the university is investigating the incident and will act in line with policy and law.

In a manifesto, the protesters argued that “property damage is not violent; condoning rape is,” rejecting what they described as a double standard in labeling actions as violent.

The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of Cornell’s disciplinary actions after a lawsuit claimed only two fraternity members were expelled and others received lesser sanctions for the alleged assault, which the accuser described as lasting seven hours. The university has disputed aspects of the lawsuit’s claims.

County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten indicated his office is re-examining the case after the complainant’s allegations differed from earlier police statements. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the appointment of Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to investigate the allegations. Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff said the university will review the role of fraternities and sororities to prevent similar incidents in the future.