Cornell to Undergo Outside Review of Sexual Assault Handling

Cornell University has agreed to an independent investigation into its handling of alleged sexual assault cases, following a civil lawsuit filed by a former student. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the agreement Wednesday, stating that the allegations raise "serious questions about Cornell campus culture" and the university's commitment to student safety.

Hochul told ABC News that she demanded the review because "people need to know the truth" and it is important for the victim, her family, and the university community to be assured that Cornell is taking appropriate actions. The university confirmed the independent investigation would proceed but has not yet released details.

The push for the review comes after prosecutors reopened an investigation into an alleged sexual assault at the former Chi Phi fraternity house. A former student filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was drugged and gang-raped by seven current and former members of the fraternity. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten stated his office is considering criminal charges, noting that the allegations in the civil complaint differ from the victim's initial statement to police two years ago.

Van Houten acknowledged that his office relied on the Cornell Police investigation and did not conduct an independent inquiry into the initial allegations. The Chi Phi fraternity chapter at Cornell is currently barred from campus. Trey Robb, interim executive director of Chi Phi, stated that all members accused in the lawsuit were expelled from the Cornell chapter within three days of the initial police report.

Attorneys for three of the defendants named in the suit have denied the allegations. Cornell University issued a statement on Monday asserting that the university imposed "consequential punishments for those involved." The university previously stated that its Title IX investigation concluded with a hearing panel issuing sanctions that included expulsions and suspensions from Cornell.

Cornell's internal data indicates that 35% of undergraduate women reported experiencing sexual assault during their time on campus. Governor Hochul remarked that such issues are acute on many campuses, stating, "There's been a culture of this kind of treatment of young women on campuses for as long as I've been in college, and it has to change."