Cornell President Acknowledges Lack of Follow-up on 2024 Gang-Rape Allegation Ahead of Faculty No-Confidence Vote

University President Michael Kotlikoff told The New York Times that he had not learned whether a student who reported a gang-rape at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024 had left Cornell or whether any of the accused students faced disciplinary action. Kotlikoff said he only recently discovered the student had withdrawn and that no information was available on expulsions or suspensions.

In a November 2024 message to the campus, Kotlikoff described the allegations of drug use and sexual violence as "deeply disturbing" and announced a presidential task force to review the university’s handling of sexual assault. This week he confirmed he never followed up on the criminal or Title IX investigations.

The case, which has attracted national attention, involves a lawsuit filed by a woman identified in court documents as Jane Doe, who alleges that seven fraternity members sexually assaulted or exploited her and that the university mishandled her complaints. After the lawsuit, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten reopened the investigation, and Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor and ordered an independent review.

The Faculty Senate is set to debate a no-confidence resolution that questions the administration’s ability to address sexual-assault reports. The resolution, co-sponsored by associate music professor Ariana Kim and senior extension associate Anne Marie Brady, reflects concerns that reporting mechanisms are inadequate and that faculty who raise issues may face retaliation.

"I mean, that's appalling in and of itself, right? That you don't know about a student who faced an alleged horrific crime, that you don't think to check in," said Kim, who also cited personal experiences of bullying and harassment.

"There doesn't seem to be independence between the administration and the Cornell Police Department," said Brady, adding that serious criminal allegations should be investigated by external law-enforcement agencies.

Kotlikoff announced a ban on fraternity parties through the end of the academic year and said state police would play a role in future sexual-assault investigations, a move welcomed by some faculty but criticized as timed to precede the Senate vote.

The Senate, comprising roughly 130 voting members, will continue debate on Oct. 28 and then hold an electronic vote, with a simple majority required for the resolution to pass.