Cornell University trustees have appointed Sally Yates, a former high-ranking U.S. Department of Justice official, to lead an independent review of how the university handles sexual misconduct claims. Yates, who served as a deputy attorney general during the Obama administration, will spearhead the assessment.
The appointment comes as the Ivy League university grapples with mounting scrutiny, student protests, and an outpouring of anger over allegations of a 2024 gang rape of a former student at a fraternity house.
The review will examine how Cornell prevents and responds to claims of sexual assault and harassment. Specifically, Yates will evaluate how the university investigates reports, the functionality of the disciplinary process, the adequacy of campus police responses, and the oversight of student organizations and student support.