Cornell Faculty Struggle with Classes Attended by Students Accused in Gang Rape Lawsuit
Instructors report difficulty managing courses with two former fraternity brothers still enrolled following a high-profile sexual assault case and subsequent campus protests.
Cornell University faculty members are facing challenges in their classrooms due to the presence of two students accused in a gang rape lawsuit who remain enrolled at the institution. The situation has intensified following a lawsuit filed by an individual identified only as Jane Doe, who alleges she was sexually assaulted by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024.
The lawsuit has sparked protests on the Ivy League campus regarding the administration's handling of the case. The Cornell faculty senate has indicated plans to vote on a no-confidence resolution against school administrators.
While prosecutors initially declined to press charges, Cornell initiated a Title IX investigation into the students in 2025, leading to the fraternity's suspension. Although two fraternity brothers were expelled and two others suspended, university officials have confirmed that two named in the lawsuit are still attending classes. These students, Winston Lee and Gillio Lopes, were suspended by the Title IX panel and have reportedly returned to the university. Both have denied any wrongdoing.
During a recent virtual webinar, some faculty expressed that they are finding it difficult to teach classes attended by these two accused students, according to CNN. Cornell has appointed Sally Yates, a former Obama-appointed justice official, to conduct an independent review of the university's response to gang rape allegations. This review will also examine how Cornell prevents and responds to sexual harassment, sexual assault, and related misconduct on campus, including its policies, investigation procedures, disciplinary processes, and coordination with law enforcement.
Jane Doe's lawsuit details an incident on October 19, 2024, which she claims began with underage drinking, followed by an invitation to an afterparty at the Chi Phi fraternity house. She alleges she was pressured to consume ketamine and marijuana, becoming disoriented as other men entered the room. The lawsuit claims that a message sent to the Chi Phi Snapchat group announced "free p***y upstairs," inviting others to join.
Three weeks after the alleged incident, Doe reported the matter to the police, but charges were not filed due to insufficient evidence. The Chi Phi fraternity was banned from campus, and the university's Title IX board launched an investigation.
According to the Title IX findings, Matthew Ingalls and Jonathan Newell were found responsible for sexual assault and expelled. Winston Lee received a two-year suspension but was not expelled and has reportedly returned to classes on disciplinary probation. Gillio Lopes was suspended for three semesters. Both Lee and Lopes were required to complete reflection papers and sexual harassment training. Diego Sarabia had already graduated and could not be subjected to Title IX punishments, but was barred from campus for three years. Scott Kretzschmar and Scott Kretzschmar were found not responsible for sexual activity and faced no disciplinary action.
In addition to the university's internal review, New York Attorney General Letitia James has initiated an active criminal investigation into the case. The students named in the lawsuit have consistently denied any wrongdoing.