On Monday, a large crowd of Cornell University students, faculty and local activists marched through Ithaca, New York, to demand a more decisive response to sexual violence on campus. The rally, held in the university’s central Ho Plaza, drew an estimated 1,000 participants who chanted slogans such as “One struggle, one fight” and “No justice, no peace.”
Protesters are pressing for an independent inquiry into how Cornell’s administration handled the alleged gang‑rape of a student identified only as Jane Doe. In a lawsuit filed last month, Doe, then 20, alleges she was drugged and assaulted by several members of the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024 after becoming incapacitated. She named seven fraternity members, the chapter itself, a local bar, her sorority and the university as defendants.
The university has responded by shutting down the Chi Phi chapter and imposing expulsions and other sanctions on the accused students. However, the lawsuit criticizes Cornell for allowing some alleged perpetrators to mitigate their penalties by writing essays, a practice the plaintiffs say undermines accountability.
Students at the rally called for the resignation of Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff and other senior administrators, arguing that current policies have fostered what they describe as a “culture of rape” on campus. In a video message released Saturday, Kotlikoff pledged to review the role of fraternities and sororities, stating that “being part of a group can never diminish individual responsibility.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to take over a newly reopened criminal investigation, saying she was “deeply disturbed” by the initial handling of the case. The local prosecutor had previously declined to bring criminal charges.
Community response and concerns
While many rallied in support of Doe, some community members voiced criticism of keeping the victim’s identity anonymous, arguing that it denies the accused a chance to confront their accuser publicly. The hashtag #IamJaneDoe has trended on social media, highlighting both solidarity with the survivor and the broader debate over due‑process rights.
University officials maintain that they have acted appropriately based on the information available. They point to the disciplinary actions taken against the fraternity members and the ongoing internal investigation as evidence of a firm response.
What’s next?
The special prosecutor’s involvement signals a renewed legal focus on the case, and students say they will continue to press for transparent investigations and stronger campus safety measures. The rally underscores a growing national conversation about how higher‑education institutions address sexual assault, and Cornell’s handling of this incident will likely be watched closely by other universities.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
