In a move that underscores the importance of due process on college campuses, Cornell University announced that former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates will head an independent review of the university’s handling of the 2024 Title IX investigation involving alleged sexual assault by members of the Chi Phi fraternity. The trustees selected Yates, who previously served in the Obama administration, to examine whether Cornell followed its own policies and federal law while protecting the rights of both the accuser and the accused.
Background of the case
The allegations first surfaced in September 2024 when a student, identified in court filings as Jane Doe, sued the university, claiming she was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven fraternity members. According to a transcript obtained by CBS News, Doe told Cornell University Police during a November 2024 interview that she was “100% confident I was raped” and described herself as “completely and totally incapacitated.” The university’s internal investigation resulted in the expulsion of two students, suspension of two others for at least two semesters, and a finding of no responsibility for the remaining three.
Why the review matters
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has said his office only received a six‑page sworn statement that portrayed the sexual activity as consensual. He later noted that the full police interview, which has not been publicly released, “changes the landscape” for his office. Attorney Scott Iseman, who represents students accused of campus sexual misconduct, said the complete interview could contain a “treasure trove of information” that might alter the trajectory of the case.
Yates’ review will have access to the full interview, the sworn statement, testimony, and other evidence gathered during Cornell’s investigation. Her team at King & Spalding will also assess whether the university’s procedures complied with federal and state law and whether the oversight of fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations was adequate.
Ensuring fairness for all parties
While the investigation has sparked protests and intense media scrutiny, Cornell maintains that its process included more than 50 interviews and twelve days of disciplinary hearings. University President Michael Kotlikoff emphasized that both the accuser and the accused were given opportunities to review evidence, testify, and appeal the findings.
Critics, including some civil‑rights advocates, argue that campus disciplinary proceedings can impose life‑altering consequences without the procedural safeguards of a criminal trial. Rhode Island attorney John R. Grasso, who has represented accused students for two decades, warned that students lack discovery rights in university hearings, making it difficult to obtain potentially exculpatory evidence.
Potential outcomes
Yates’ review could uncover additional witnesses, overlooked text messages, or social‑media evidence that may be shared with New York Attorney General Letitia James’ ongoing criminal investigation. Although Yates has no authority to bring criminal charges, her findings may lead to recommendations for improving Cornell’s Title IX processes and ensuring that future investigations balance the rights of victims with the presumption of innocence for the accused.
As the review proceeds, the university has pledged to report its findings to a special committee of the Board of Trustees, which will then share the results with the campus community. The effort reflects a broader national conversation about how higher‑education institutions handle serious sexual misconduct allegations while upholding constitutional principles of due process and parental‑rights advocacy.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
