Cornell president says school “must do better” amid criticism of its investigation into rape allegations
Cornell President Acknowledges Failings in Rape Allegations Case
Wertynews.com – Cornell president says school must do better as the university faces criticism over its handling of allegations that a former student was drugged and gang-raped at a fraternity house in 2024. President Michael I. Kotlikoff addressed the campus community in a video message, recognizing the anger and distress surrounding the case.
The former student, identified in court filings as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit last month against Cornell University and seven men. The suit alleges that she was 20 when she was drugged and raped in October 2024 at Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity chapter.
“I believe we as an administration and we as a community must do better,” Kotlikoff said.
Kotlikoff described the period as one of the most difficult in Cornell’s history. He said the university must work to prevent other students from experiencing what Jane Doe alleges happened to her and acknowledged the effect the case has had on students, families, alumni and the wider campus community.
Tompkins County Investigation Is Reopened
No criminal charges were filed after the alleged assault. In 2024, the Tompkins County district attorney’s office determined there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. That decision is now being reviewed after questions emerged about the material prosecutors received from campus police.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said his office did not receive the complete transcript of Jane Doe’s two-day campus police interview in November 2024, about three weeks after the alleged assault. Prosecutors instead received a six-page sworn statement based on that interview.
Cornell initially said campus police had shared the results of its Title IX investigation with the district attorney. In an Oct. 1 update to its case FAQ, however, the university said it provided Jane Doe’s sworn statement and a Snapchat screenshot. The screenshot came from a group chat involving Chi Phi members on the night of the alleged rape.
Van Houten has reopened the criminal investigation. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who criticized the earlier handling of the case, appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to lead the investigation.
Cornell Plans an Independent Review
Cornell president says school must do better through greater scrutiny of its own response. Kotlikoff said the university will hire an outside law firm to conduct an independent examination of every part of Cornell’s handling of the matter. He also said Cornell supports the state-led criminal investigation.
The university’s Title IX process and a criminal investigation have different purposes. A Title IX review considers whether university policy was violated, while prosecutors decide whether available evidence supports criminal charges. Even so, the case has intensified questions about campus police interviews, disciplinary decisions and communication with outside authorities.
Kotlikoff disclosed that Cornell’s Title IX process resulted in two accused students being expelled and two others being suspended for at least two semesters. A fifth person had graduated before sanctions could be imposed, while two people were found not responsible for sexual misconduct.
“I also hear the frustration that Cornell has not communicated enough about what the university did after the assault was reported, which has led to distrust,” Kotlikoff said.
Cornell president says school must do better in explaining the actions it takes after reports of misconduct, while still following privacy and legal requirements. Kotlikoff said the university would provide clearer context and share information when it is legally able to do so.
FAQ for the Cornell Community
Why was the criminal investigation reopened? The investigation was reopened after the Tompkins County district attorney said prosecutors had not received the complete transcript of Jane Doe’s November 2024 campus police interview during the initial review.
What will Cornell’s outside review examine? The independent law firm is expected to examine every aspect of the university’s response to the 2024 allegations, according to Kotlikoff.
What disciplinary action did Cornell take? Cornell said two students were expelled, two were suspended for a minimum of two semesters, one had graduated before sanctions could be imposed and two were found not responsible for sexual misconduct.