Ithaca Council Halts Cornell Event Permits Amid Scrutiny Over Rape Allegations Handling

The Ithaca Common Council has voted to halt the issuance of city permits to Cornell University and its affiliated student groups. The decision, made late Wednesday, comes in response to widespread criticism regarding the university's handling of rape allegations brought forward by a former student.

The council voted 9-1 to implement a moratorium that temporarily bars Cornell from obtaining new permits for assemblies, parades, special events on the Ithaca Commons, and activities requiring noise permits, citing public safety concerns. The measure is set to remain in effect until November 5, with the possibility of extension.

An amendment to the moratorium requires Cornell to refer investigations involving sexual and violent crimes to the Ithaca Police Department, although the enforcement of this provision remains unclear. The moratorium was supported by many Cornell students and Ithaca residents, though some graduate students expressed concerns that the restrictions could broadly impact unrelated activities.

The action follows a lawsuit filed in September by a student, identified as Jane Doe, who accused seven former members of the Chi Phi fraternity of drugging and raping her on the night of October 19, 2024. The lawsuit alleges that Doe, who arrived at the fraternity house already intoxicated, was pressured into consuming ketamine and other substances. The accused fraternity members have denied wrongdoing, with some stating the sexual activity was consensual and others denying participation.

The Chi Phi fraternity was suspended on November 8, 2024, the same day Doe reported the sexual assault allegations to campus police, according to her civil complaint. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten initially declined to pursue charges, stating that Doe's sworn statement did not allege she was drugged against her will or gang-raped, but described her participation in drug use and sexual conduct as "voluntary, conscious, and consensual."

However, transcripts of interviews with Jane Doe by Cornell police on November 14 and 15, 2024, obtained by CBS New York, include her telling investigators, "I can say with 100% confidence I was raped." Van Houten stated he had not received the full transcript. In late October, he announced his office was reopening the case due to discrepancies between the lawsuit's allegations and Doe's earlier sworn statement.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Doe's lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, indicated that Cornell police may have led Doe to believe the criminal investigation was ongoing even after Van Houten decided not to file charges. Van Houten stated he had instructed Cornell police to inform Doe that charges would not be pursued, but he did not speak directly with her or her attorney.

Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor for the case on October 1, effectively removing the investigation from Van Houten's purview. Hochul cited serious questions about the investigation conducted by Cornell police and the District Attorney's decision not to prosecute, which she stated has undermined public faith in the process.

Separately, one of the men named in Doe's lawsuit has petitioned a court to remove James from the case, alleging bias due to a social media post she made prior to her appointment that described Doe's alleged experience as "horrific and unacceptable."