Cornell Fraternity Brother Accused of Rape Was Designated 'Safety Monitor'

Jonathan Newell, one of the Cornell University fraternity brothers accused of gang-raping a student, was designated as a sober 'safety monitor' on the night of the alleged attack, according to internal university records. The policies were in place to promote safer partying at the Chi Phi fraternity.

Newell was listed among seven individuals intended to remain sober and wear distinctive clothing to be easily identifiable in emergencies during a party on October 19, 2024. The woman, identified as Jane Doe, alleges in a civil lawsuit that she was plied with drugs and alcohol by Newell and his fraternity brothers before being sexually assaulted over a seven-hour period.

The lawsuit also claims Newell sent a Snapchat message to his fraternity brothers inviting them to join the assault. Newell has told investigators that he had consensual sexual activity with Doe and claimed not to remember sending the message.

Authorities declined to press charges against the seven accused fraternity brothers, but Newell was expelled from Cornell following a Title IX investigation.

The university's "safer partying" policies were enhanced in 2022 after previous incidents, including allegations of students being drugged at fraternity parties. These measures included banning hard liquor from fraternity and sorority houses, enforcing a 1 a.m. end time for parties where alcohol was served, and requiring mandatory training for designated sober monitors.

Despite being listed on the fraternity's paperwork, interviews with Newell by campus police in December 2024 did not clarify if he understood his responsibilities or had agreed to serve as a sober monitor. Newell stated he arrived at the party around midnight after consuming alcohol at other events and estimated his intake to be several alcoholic drinks. He was subsequently expelled by a Title IX investigation, though no criminal charges were filed against the accused.