+34Cornell University's president says the school will examine the role of fraternities and sororities and support an independent review after a student's lawsuit alleging she was drugged and raped by Chi Phi fraternity members in 2024.
Cornell University will examine the role of fraternities and sororities on campus after an outcry over the school's handling of a student's rape allegations, the Ivy League school's president said.
Cornell Faces Fraternity Rape Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed last month, alleges the woman was drugged and raped in 2024 by several members of the Chi Phi fraternity. The case has prompted outrage and soul-searching at Cornell over its campus culture at the school in Ithaca, New York. In an 8-minute video message to the Cornell community on Saturday, President Michael Kotlikoff said the school would take steps to prevent a similar situation in the future.
That includes a serious look at the role of fraternities and sororities in campus life, Kotlikoff said. At their best, these organisations can provide students with friendship, belonging, mentorship and a powerful sense of community, he said. But being part of a group can never diminish individual responsibility.
The university would seek input from students, alumni and others on how to preserve what is valuable about Greek life while strengthening individual accountability, transparency and a culture in which every member understands their responsibility to protect the safety and wellbeing of others, he said. The lawsuit against Cornell, seven fraternity members and others alleges the school failed to adequately punish some of the accused students.
Cornell has defended its handling, saying it launched a comprehensive investigation and barred the Chi Phi fraternity from campus. The school said it imposed a range of disciplinary measures, including expulsions. The alleged victim is suing the men, the Chi Phi fraternity, the university, an Ithaca bar and others, seeking undisclosed damages. Identified in court documents as Jane Doe, she says she was pressured into taking illicit drugs and drinking alcohol, which completely incapacitated her.
Investigation and Independent Review
The woman told a police officer she could say with 100 per cent confidence she was raped. But that statement was left out of an official police report sent to prosecutors, who ultimately dropped the case. The school conducted its own investigation and issued sanctions, including expelling some students and suspending others. Kotlikoff reaffirmed his commitment to supporting an independent review of Cornell's handling of the case.
He said the school's board of trustees would announce details of the review later this week. During a student assembly hearing on October 1, several speakers called for Kotlikoff's resignation. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declined to take a position on whether Kotlikoff should resign when asked at a press conference on October 2, saying she did not yet have enough information.
Kotlikoff expressed support for Hochul's decision and acknowledged frustration that Cornell had not communicated enough, saying that had led to distrust. While citing real legal and privacy limits on what the university could disclose, he pledged greater transparency and more opportunities for students, parents and others to engage with university leaders. In the coming weeks, we will create additional opportunities for members of our community to ask questions and hear directly from university leadership, he said.
New York Sexual Assault Laws
We must do better, Kotlikoff said. We don't have all the answers, but we are committed to investigating and finding the answers our community deserves. He also committed Cornell's support to legislative efforts to change New York's sexual assault laws. State laws make it difficult to prosecute sexual assaults that involved victims who voluntarily consumed drugs and alcohol, even if they became too incapacitated to consent.
Critics say the laws create a voluntary intoxication loophole, separating people who were incapacitated by drugs without their consent from those who voluntarily became intoxicated. The district attorney who initially chose not to pursue criminal charges cited these laws as reason, saying the woman's original statement to police described voluntary drug use and sexual activity. The case has reignited scrutiny of how law enforcement and universities handle sexual assault complaints, with students questioning whether processes are enough to protect them. It has also drawn the attention of New York state officials.
abcnews 
GuardianAus:Cornell University to take ‘serious look’ at fraternities after rape allegationsThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Cornell Kathy Hochul University Rape Allegations Fraternities Sororities Cornell University Fraternity Review Chi Phi Lawsuit Sexual Assault Laws Michael Kotlikoff
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cornell Rape Case Spurs Debate on Why Mothers, Not Men, Are Asked to Teach ConsentA lawsuit alleging gang rape at a Cornell fraternity has prompted mothers to share advice on raising sons, but critics ask why fathers and male role models are not leading the conversation.
Read more »
Hochul names Letitia James special prosecutor in Cornell gang rape caseNew York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to investigate an alleged gang rape at Cornell University, saying she lost faith in local authorities after campus police failed to elevate the allegations to prosecutors.
Read more »
Cornell Fraternity Rape Lawsuit Sparks Campus Protests and Attorney General InvestigationA rape lawsuit at Cornell University's Chi Phi fraternity house has led to campus protests, social media campaigns, and a state investigation led by Attorney General Letitia James.
Read more »
Cornell president vows review of fraternities after rape lawsuitCornell University's president says the school will examine the role of fraternities and sororities and support an independent review after a student's lawsuit alleging she was drugged and raped by Chi Phi fraternity members in 2024.
Read more »