Cornell Faces Scrutiny Over Handling of Sexual Assault Cases

Cornell University has come under fire for its handling of sexual assault cases, with an investigation revealing that only two out of 16 students found responsible by the university's own investigators between mid-2020 and mid-2024 were expelled. In some instances, students were given punishments such as writing a reflection paper.

Cornell reviewed 51 formal complaints of sexual assault during this period. Of the 16 cases where investigators found the accused students responsible, two students were expelled, six received reprimands, and seven faced other disciplinary actions including written reprimands, disciplinary probation, directed study, and no-contact orders. Directed study can involve reading and discussing relevant materials, which may include impact letters from complainants.

In cases where sexual assault complaints were withdrawn before a Title IX hearing, some alleged attackers were sanctioned with writing an "Accountability Reflection Paper" or an "Apology Letter."

The university has not yet released data for the fall 2024 academic year or more recent periods, including the case of a woman, identified as Jane Doe, who alleges she was raped by seven students at the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024. It remains unclear how many of the reported sexual assaults led to concurrent criminal investigations.

Community members have expressed frustration with the university's disciplinary measures. Jennifer Brownell, executive director of the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County, called the punishments "infuriating," stating that while expulsion might not always be the outcome, harsher punishments are warranted. Former student Kacey Lee shared her sense of betrayal, recounting how the student found responsible for assaulting her in 2023 received disciplinary probation, a no-contact order, and a directed study including a reflection paper, but was not expelled. Lee felt the punishment was akin to an "extra homework assignment," diminishing the severity of her experience.

Some former students have alleged that the university's Title IX Office overlooked significant evidence, allowing perpetrators to evade accountability. One former student claimed she was assaulted multiple times by a colleague who allegedly attacked again a year later.

In the Jane Doe case, a disciplinary panel found that only two of the seven accused fraternity members, Umar Matthew Ingalls and Jonathan Newell, were responsible for sexual assault. Both were expelled. The other five men faced lesser punishments, including suspension, disciplinary probation, or a three-year ban from campus. Two fraternity members accused of entering the room after a Snapchat message allegedly indicated "free pussy" upstairs were ordered to not contact Jane Doe, study sexual harassment, and write reflection papers.

The Chi Phi fraternity was shut down following the allegations. While the accused men denied wrongdoing and were not criminally charged due to insufficient evidence, the Tompkins County District Attorney's Office has since reopened the case. Cornell has also hired Sally Yates, a former deputy attorney general, to investigate the university's response to the gang rape allegations.

A spokesperson for Cornell stated that the university takes sexual misconduct allegations "extremely seriously" and investigates reports through established processes. The university has expanded in-person sexual violence prevention education for first-year students. University President Michael Kotlikoff noted the creation of a presidential task force in February 2025 as a sign of the administration's commitment to addressing sexual assault.

Kotlikoff acknowledged that the heavy use of ketamine and alcohol among students, discovered during the Title IX investigation, is a broader issue affecting young adults. Cornell has banned all fraternity parties for the remainder of the academic year and implemented a "zero tolerance" policy for fraternity chapters.

The Cornell faculty senate plans to vote on a no-confidence resolution against the school's administrators. Kotlikoff expressed personal sorrow for Jane Doe's experience and acknowledged a loss of trust within the community. He announced a suspension of all fraternity parties and social events at Interfraternity Council houses through the end of the 2026-27 academic year, along with a new "zero tolerance" policy. The university also plans to hire experienced sexual assault investigators for its police force.