Sally Yates to Review Cornell's Handling of Sexual Assault Allegations

Former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates has been tapped by Cornell University's trustees to conduct an independent review of the university's handling of sexual assault allegations that emerged in October 2024. The review will scrutinize the university's response to allegations involving members of its Chi Phi fraternity.

The case gained national attention following a lawsuit filed by a student, identified as Jane Doe, who alleged that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven fraternity members. While Cornell's internal investigation resulted in expulsions and suspensions for some students, the local district attorney's office initially declined to bring charges. This decision was influenced, in part, by a discrepancy in the information provided by the university.

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten stated his office had not received the full interview transcript from Cornell University Police before making its initial decision. He noted that the complete interview, which reportedly describes the accuser's participation in sexual activity and drug use as voluntary and consensual, "changes the landscape for me." A key campus police interview, which local prosecutors say they did not receive in full, could face fresh scrutiny under Yates' review.

"Those full recorded interviews, I can tell you from experience, have a treasure trove of information that are really, really important to exactly what happened," said Scott Iseman, a New York attorney who has represented students accused of campus sexual misconduct. "It wouldn't surprise me if there was additional information in there that would have changed the trajectory of this case because that happens all the time."

Cornell stated that its police department provided prosecutors with the accuser's sworn statement and a Snapchat screenshot in 2024, describing the process as standard protocol. However, it remains unclear why the complete interview was not initially shared with Van Houten's office. Yates and her team will have access to relevant records, case files, and university personnel as they review the school's response to the allegations, which falls under its Title IX investigation procedures.

In addition to examining the police interview, Yates' review will assess Cornell's broader practices regarding sexual misconduct allegations. This includes evaluating the university's oversight of fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations, as well as its adherence to its own procedures and relevant federal and state laws. The findings and recommendations from Yates' review will be reported to a special committee of Cornell's Board of Trustees.

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff confirmed that as a result of the university's investigation, two of the seven accused students were expelled, two were suspended for at least two semesters, one had graduated before discipline could be imposed, and two were found not responsible for sexual misconduct. The university has stated that both accuser and accused students had opportunities to review evidence, testify, and challenge findings through an appeals process.

This independent review by Yates, who previously led an investigation into widespread sexual misconduct in women's professional soccer, comes as the case has sparked protests on campus and a separate criminal investigation by the New York Attorney General's office. The seven accused men have denied wrongdoing, and no criminal charges have been filed against them.

The situation at Cornell also highlights a broader debate regarding the legal protections available to students accused of serious sexual misconduct within university disciplinary systems, which can have significant consequences without offering all the protections afforded in criminal court.