Cornell University will examine the role of fraternities and sororities on campus following an outcry over the school's handling of a student's rape allegations. A civil lawsuit was filed last month by a woman identified in court documents as Jane Doe, who alleges she was drugged and gang-raped in 2024 by several members of the Chi Phi fraternity in Ithaca, New York. The lawsuit names the university and seven former students.
The incident has sparked national outrage and soul-searching regarding the campus culture at the Ivy League school. There has been significant criticism directed at both the university and prosecutors for the failure to file any criminal charges against the accused perpetrators.
President Michael Kotlikoff described the allegations as deeply disturbing and expressed deep sorrow, calling this one of the most challenging periods for Cornell. Kotlikoff stated that the administration must do better and noted that the allegations would weigh on the university for years to come.
While the university has defended aspects of its handling of the cases, the president acknowledged troubling questions raised about the investigations. He pledged that the university would take a serious look at the role of fraternities and sororities in campus life.