In a video statement released Saturday, Cornell University President Martha E. Kotlikoff addressed the mounting public concern surrounding the alleged gang assault of a student in a Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. Kotlikoff described the incident as raising “heartbreaking and troubling issues about sexual assault, dehumanization, and aspects of party culture, alcohol, and drug use.”
Commitment to Investigation and Transparency
The president acknowledged that the university does not yet have “all the answers,” but affirmed Cornell’s dedication to a thorough investigation. She announced that the board of trustees will, next week, appoint an independent law firm to conduct a comprehensive review of how the university handled the 2024 case.
Kotlikoff also expressed support for recent legislative efforts to strengthen New York’s sexual assault statutes and praised Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to appoint a special prosecutor, a step the university previously said it endorsed.
Enhanced Prevention and Support Measures
While criminal and administrative reviews continue, Cornell will expand programs focused on sexual assault prevention, education, mental‑health services, and substance‑use counseling. Kotlikoff promised greater communication with the campus community, stating the university will “make a greater effort to explain what we can, to provide context about the actions Cornell has taken, and to be more transparent” within legal limits.
Reexamining Greek Life
At the close of her remarks, Kotlikoff signaled a willingness to review the role of Greek organizations. She said the university will “reengage students, alumni, and other members of our community to examine how we preserve what is valuable about Greek life while strengthening individual accountability, transparency, and a culture in which every member understands their responsibility to protect the safety and well‑being of others.”
Background of the Case
According to documents obtained by ABC News and The New York Times, the alleged victim, identified in reports as Jane Doe, reported to campus police that she was assaulted by eight to ten men at the fraternity house on the night of October 19, 2024. Police documented her statement, but the university’s initial public comments suggested that all investigative information had been shared with the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office. The university later clarified that only the victim’s sworn statement and a Snapchat screenshot had been provided.
District Attorney Michael Van Houten’s office declined to pursue criminal charges, citing the victim’s six‑page statement as the basis for that decision. Subsequent evidence, including additional Snapchat messages and interview transcripts, was not reviewed by the DA’s office, according to the Times report.
The university’s disciplinary panel ultimately suspended and expelled the accused students, barred the Chi Phi chapter from campus, and created a sexual‑assault task force. Four fraternity members acknowledged sexual contact with the victim but claimed it was consensual; the remaining three denied any involvement.
Resources
Anyone seeking help can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1‑800‑656‑4673 or chat 24/7 at online.rainn.org.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
