Ithaca Council Imposes Temporary Moratorium on Cornell Event Permits and Calls for Police Oversight of Sexual Violence Cases

The Ithaca Common Council approved a temporary moratorium on special-event permits for Cornell University, its sororities, fraternities, student organizations and affiliated groups, effective immediately. The 9-1 vote establishes a ban on new permits for assemblies, parades, special events and noise, with the measure slated to expire on Nov. 5 unless renewed monthly.

Mayor Robert Cantelmo said the council acted "based on substantial concerns for the safety, health, and welfare of the residents of, and visitors to, the city of Ithaca." The council also adopted a resolution urging Cornell to transfer investigations of violent sexual crimes to the Ithaca Police Department, stating the city wants the university to "punish, monitor transparently and prevent sexual violence on campus."

The action follows a civil lawsuit filed last month by a former Cornell student, identified as Jane Doe, who alleges she was drugged and gang-raped by fraternity members in October 2024. The university’s Title IX investigation resulted in expulsions, suspensions and findings of non-responsibility for the accused men. State Attorney General Letitia James has been appointed as special prosecutor to review the case.

Student protests have continued on campus, including a sit-in at a dining hall and rallies drawing more than 1,000 participants. A 2025 Cornell survey reported that over one-third of undergraduate women experienced non-consensual sexual contact involving force or incapacitation, and nearly half reported harassment, with residence halls and fraternity houses identified as common locations.

Graduate student Cecily Cox, who opposes the moratorium, told the council that "parties do not cause sexual violence" and warned the measure’s ambiguity could affect students not involved in the case. Cantelmo responded that the moratorium will not infringe on constitutional rights to religion, speech or peaceful assembly.

Some students, such as Sam Poole, view the moratorium as leverage to compel structural changes at Cornell, arguing that the city’s pressure is necessary to protect survivors.