Two Accused Cornell Frat Members Remain on Campus Amidst Faculty Concern

Two of the seven students accused in a lawsuit of gang-raping a classmate at Cornell University remain on campus, leading to concerns among faculty who say they are unsure how to navigate their classrooms, according to a CNN report.

The students are among the “Cornell 7” from the Chi Phi fraternity named in a September lawsuit filed by a student identified as Jane Doe. Doe alleges that the seven brothers drugged and sexually assaulted her during an incident in 2024.

Cornell confirmed the presence of the two students during a recent faculty webinar, where professors expressed unease about teaching under the current circumstances. The university has not commented on whether the accused students were still enrolled in classes.

Cornell’s internal disciplinary process has resulted in varying sanctions for the accused. Matthew Ingalls and Jonathan Newell were expelled, while Winston Lee and Gillio Lopes received two-year and three-semester suspensions, respectively. Scott Kretzschmar and Scott Norris were required to complete studies on sexual harassment and write reflection papers. Diego Sarabi, who had already graduated, was banned from returning to campus for three years.

Ingalls and Newell were the only students found responsible for sexual assault by Cornell's disciplinary panel. Lee and Lopes were accused of sexual assault, while Kretzschmar and Norris were accused of entering the room where the alleged assault occurred after messages in a fraternity group chat indicated "free pussy" was available upstairs. Sarabi was accused of forcibly kissing Doe.

All seven students have denied the allegations against them. None have been criminally charged. The Tompkins County District Attorney’s office declined to prosecute in 2024, citing Doe’s initial statement to police that described consensual drinking and a willingness to engage in a threesome before she felt incapacitated.

Doe’s lawsuit contends that the drugs and alcohol she consumed rendered her unable to consent, particularly as other fraternity members entered the room. New York investigators have reportedly reopened the case, influenced by the group chat messages included in the lawsuit.

The university has faced national scrutiny over its handling of the 2024 incident. Protests have occurred on campus, with calls for an overhaul of the school's judicial system and Greek life policies.

A spokesperson for Cornell stated that the university is committed to supporting its community. "We recognize that this case has affected members of our community in different ways, and we are committed to supporting students, faculty and staff," the spokesperson said. "Our goal is to ensure that members of our community know they are not navigating these challenges alone and have access to the resources and support they need."