Cornell President Apologizes Amid Scandal Over Jane Doe Gang Rape Allegations

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff has issued an apology following national outrage sparked by gang rape allegations made by a student identified as Jane Doe. In his first interview since Doe filed a civil lawsuit, Kotlikoff was accused by The New York Times of speaking with "clinical detachment" while expressing remorse for the student's experience.

"The fact that Jane Doe experienced what she experienced at Cornell is something that I am personally sorry for. And I think this entire campus is sorry that occurred," Kotlikoff told the newspaper. "I've heard enough from the community that there is a loss of trust. People are angry. I understand that anger."

The lawsuit alleges that Doe was coerced into taking drugs and sexually assaulted by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity at an off-campus house in 2024. The seven men named in the suit—Umar Matthew Ingalls, Jonathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris, and Scott Kretzschmar—have denied the allegations.

Prosecutors initially declined to file charges but have since reopened the case. Cornell launched a Title IX investigation into the fraternity. As a result, Chi Phi was shut down. Ingalls and Newell were expelled, while Lee and Lopes were suspended. Norris and Kretzschmar received lesser sanctions, and Sarabia, who had already graduated, was barred from campus.

In response to the scandal, Cornell has banned all fraternity parties for the remainder of the academic year and hired former Obama-appointed justice official Sally Yates to investigate the university's handling of the allegations. The Cornell faculty senate plans to vote on a no-confidence resolution against the school's administrators, including Kotlikoff, later this month.

Kotlikoff highlighted the creation of a presidential task force in February 2025 to address sexual assault on campus as evidence of his administration's commitment. He told The New York Times that heavy use of ketamine and alcohol by students is a broader issue among young adults leaving home for the first time, exacerbated by exposure to pornography and misogyny. "This is a challenge for us. We have to respond by building character, judgment, responsibility, care for each other,"

Following the interview, Kotlikoff announced a suspension of all parties and social events at Interfraternity Council houses through the end of the 2026-27 academic year. He also instituted a new "zero tolerance" policy that would immediately suspend chapters for violations. "These measures will provide time for a thorough review of fraternity life at Cornell to determine whether and how it can safely continue," he wrote in a letter to the campus community. Additionally, Cornell will add experienced sexual assault investigators to its police force.

The incident has drawn national attention and criticism regarding the university's response to the alleged assault.