Prospective Students, Alumni Parents Boycott Cornell Over Handling of Fraternity Rape Allegations

Prospective applicants and alumni parents are reconsidering or withdrawing their applications to Cornell University due to the institution's alleged mishandling of a fraternity gang rape lawsuit. Advisers cited the university's response to the allegations as a primary reason for this shift.

Manhattan Private Schools Advisors founder Amanda Uhry stated that all seven of her clients planning to apply to Cornell for the 2027 admissions cycle via Early Decision have decided against it. "The parents will not permit them to go after what happened," Uhry said, adding that three of these parents are Cornell alumni themselves and are "mortified and furious."

Christopher Rim, founder and CEO of Command Education, echoed these concerns, reporting that his family clients are "shocked" by the alleged "cover-up" by Cornell. He noted that international clients are particularly worried, questioning the safety of US schools in general when faced with such serious allegations.

The controversy stems from a lawsuit filed by a former Cornell student. She alleges that multiple brothers from the Chi Phi fraternity drugged and sexually assaulted her at their Ithaca house in the fall of 2024. The lawsuit claims that the university allowed many of the accused students to mitigate their conduct by writing essays, rather than face more severe consequences. The university has not denied the essay assignment but stated that some students were suspended and expelled, without specifying how many.

Advisers suggest this situation could have a lasting impact on Cornell's reputation and application numbers. Uhry predicted a significant drop in applications, stating, "Nobody's thinking about [applying to] Cornell anymore." She also suggested that donors might be affected, as financial considerations often influence institutional responses to scandals.

The allegations and the university's response have drawn criticism from public officials as well. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has demanded a probe into Cornell's handling of the case, and the mayor of Ithaca has called for the cancellation of permits for the fraternity. The district attorney's office initially stated that the frat brothers' conduct was "disgusting, despicable and immoral" but not "clearly criminal," though the investigation has since been reopened.

The fallout at Cornell is being compared by some to the ongoing repercussions faced by other Ivy League institutions following recent events, suggesting that such incidents can have prolonged negative effects on a university's standing and campus climate.