Cornell President Addresses Campus Rape Allegations, Vows to Improve

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff has publicly addressed the alleged gang rape of a student at the campus's Chi Phi fraternity house, stating his "heart aches" over the troubling issues and vowing that the university will "do better."

In a video message, Kotlikoff expressed support for New York Governor Kathy Hochul's appointment of Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to investigate the case. The lawsuit, filed in September by a student identified as Jane Doe, details alleged abuse she endured in 2024 while intoxicated, accusing seven male students of sexual assault. The incident, initially reported two years ago, has drawn scrutiny to the university's handling of the claims and the district attorney's office's decision not to file charges.

Kotlikoff acknowledged that questions have been raised about the university's response and stated that Cornell administration welcomes the investigation. "What happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come," he said, adding that the university must "do everything we can to prevent" similar incidents.

The accuser's lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, described Jane Doe as "hanging on by a string" and deeply traumatized by the events. He stated that her dream of attending Cornell's Hotel School was upended, and while she initially felt compelled to remain due to financial concerns, she ultimately had to withdraw from the university. According to the lawsuit, only two of the seven accused students were expelled, while others reportedly faced lesser consequences, such as submitting essays.

District Attorney Matthew Van Houten defended his office's initial decision not to file charges, citing discrepancies between Doe's initial statement and the lawsuit's allegations, a claim Giuffra disputes.

Kotlikoff called the period following the lawsuit's emergence "one of the most difficult weeks" in Cornell's history, recognizing the anger, sadness, and struggle among students. He pledged to enhance campus culture, ensure students understand consent, and increase transparency with the student body. The university plans to initiate broader conversations in the coming weeks, including discussions about the role of Greek life on campus.

Governor Hochul reiterated public concerns, stating that "newly released information continues to raise serious questions about the investigation," which has eroded public faith. Giuffra commended the appointment of James, expressing a lack of confidence in DA Van Houten's ability or willingness to prosecute the case.

The lawsuit names Cornell University, seven fraternity members, and a local bar as defendants. None of the seven men have been criminally charged. Attorneys for some of the accused students have denied the allegations, with one warning against the presumption of guilt due to public outcry.