In brief
Following a lawsuit by a student who said she was drugged and raped at a fraternity house in 2024, Cornell’s president announced an immediate ban on all fraternity parties for the rest of the academic year. The university will suspend violators, expand survivor support, involve trauma‑informed police officers and bring in national sexual‑violence experts. Critics claim the local district attorney handled the case poorly, prompting New York’s governor to appoint the attorney general to investigate. The move signals Cornell’s commitment to addressing campus sexual‑violence culture and restoring safety.
Cornell University has pulled the plug on fraternity parties for the rest of the academic year, following a 2024 lawsuit filed by a student who said she was drugged and raped by several men at a fraternity house.
In a statement, President Michael Kotlikoff apologized for the harm suffered and said, I am deeply sorry for the harm Jane Doe suffered, and appalled that this act of sexual violence occurred within our Cornell community. He announced a series of measures, including suspending anyone who violates the new fraternity‑party policy.
The university will also expand support for survivors, adding staff to help students report misconduct and providing trauma‑informed officers from the New York State Police to conduct investigations and produce comprehensive reports for law enforcement.
The case has drawn criticism of the local district attorney’s office, which received only a six‑page statement and a handful of Snapchat messages from the alleged perpetrators. State officials and the governor have called for a full investigation, with Attorney General Letitia James appointed to probe the matter.
Kotlikoff said Cornell would bring in national sexual‑violence experts to examine campus culture and develop strategies for responsible sexual citizenship, calling the changes a first step toward systematic change.
