Students at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, gathered on Thursday for a public hearing organized by the Student Assembly to demand greater accountability after a civil lawsuit alleged that members of the Chi Phi fraternity sexually assaulted a woman in 2024. Junior Sophia Riley Sim, who has skipped classes to attend the hearing, said the university has failed the community through a lack of transparency and accountability.
University response
Cornell officials responded that they have launched a comprehensive investigation, barred the fraternity from campus, and imposed disciplinary measures, including expulsions. The school noted that privacy laws limit the amount of individual information it can release, but emphasized that adherence to those laws does not indicate indifference to the seriousness of the conduct.
Student demands
The Student Assembly, which represents all undergraduate students, unanimously approved a resolution calling on administrators to provide a full account of the investigation, disclose any disciplinary actions taken against the accused, and publish annual reports on future sexual misconduct cases. Speakers at the hearing recounted personal experiences, many breaking down in tears, and expressed that they no longer felt safe on Cornell’s 2,300‑acre campus.
Survey data
A university‑conducted survey released in 2025 found that 35% of undergraduate women reported experiencing non‑consensual sexual contact involving force or incapacitation since entering Cornell, up from 20% in 2021. The rise in reported incidents has drawn the attention of New York state officials, who have appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the matter.
Allegations and legal action
The lawsuit alleges that fraternity members supplied the victim with alcohol, marijuana and ketamine before she became incapacitated and was assaulted. It also claims that Cornell allowed some accused students to receive reduced penalties by writing essays, a practice the university denies was the sole form of punishment.
Student perspectives
Jane Wang, a public policy major, described the university’s reporting process as burdensome, saying she faced “an abundance of paperwork, very little instruction on how to navigate it, and no follow‑up from our office about an outcome.” Saanya Agarwal, Cornell’s student women’s issues representative, called the survey findings “unacceptable” and pledged that the campus community will continue to fight for safer conditions.
Next steps
Students have scheduled a rally for Monday to call for additional protective measures. Cornell has indicated that it will continue its investigation while respecting privacy constraints, and it plans to release further information as it becomes available.
The hearing underscores a broader national conversation about how higher‑education institutions handle sexual assault complaints and the balance between privacy protections and the need for transparency to protect students.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
