Cornell Hires Sally Yates to Lead Probe into Handling of Sexual Assault Allegations

Cornell University has appointed former U.S. Acting Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an independent internal investigation into the university's handling of sexual assault allegations and its response to the "Cornell 7" gang-rape claims. The announcement came Tuesday from the Ivy League institution.

Yates' review will examine how Cornell prevents and responds to sexual assault claims, looking into the university's prevention and response procedures, student support systems, and its processes for handling reports, investigations, disciplinary hearings, and appeals. The probe will also scrutinize the actions of campus police and their coordination with other law enforcement agencies, as well as policies and oversight related to fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations, and the school board's supervision of these matters.

A significant focus of the investigation will be Cornell's response to a lawsuit filed by Jane Doe. In her suit, Doe alleges she was drugged with ketamine and gang-raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024. The lawsuit also claims the university failed to adequately investigate and punish the fraternity members involved. According to Doe's allegations, one of the accused fraternity members instructed her to snort ketamine from his body while she was being assaulted, and another allegedly texted the fraternity's Snapchat group about "free p---y" as she lay unconscious.

Yates, who was dismissed as acting attorney general by President Trump in 2020, will assess whether Cornell adhered to its own policies and procedures in addressing Doe's allegations. Anne Meinig Smalling, Chair of the Special Committee overseeing the investigation, stated that the questions raised by the Jane Doe matter necessitate a rigorous examination of Cornell's response, emphasizing that the university's responsibility is broader.

In the aftermath of Doe's lawsuit, Cornell faced intense scrutiny, including campus protests and student government hearings demanding more robust action against sexual violence. Over 1,000 demonstrators marched on campus recently, calling for changes and expressing support for Jane Doe. Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff has acknowledged the case as a "defining moment" for the university, stating, "we must do better."

While two of the seven Chi Phi members accused in the lawsuit were reportedly expelled by a Cornell disciplinary board after being found responsible for sexual misconduct, and others received lengthy suspensions, no criminal charges have been filed against them. The university has previously defended its actions, with a spokesperson calling the accuser "irresponsible" for suggesting that the university's response was limited to requiring punishment essays.

Yates has prior experience investigating allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct. In 2022, she was hired by the U.S. Soccer Federation to investigate the National Women's Soccer League following claims of harassment and sexual coercion by former players.

The Special Committee of Cornell's Board of Trustees has assured that Yates will have "full independence" in conducting her review.