ITHACA, N.Y. – Recent text messages and internal university documents provide a clearer picture of the allegations made by a former Cornell student who says she was sexually assaulted by several members of the Chi Phi fraternity during an October 2024 party.
Allegations and timeline
The woman, identified as Jane Doe in a civil lawsuit filed in September, claims that seven men engaged in non‑consensual sexual activity after she consumed alcohol and ketamine at the fraternity house. Initially, she told her roommates she had taken ketamine and had sex with multiple men, but she did not label the encounter as sexual assault at that time.
According to records from Cornell’s internal investigation, which were reviewed by The New York Times, her account evolved over the following weeks. By November 3, 2024, she texted one of the men stating that most of what occurred had not been consensual. She reported the incident to Cornell campus police several days later and subsequently told investigators she was certain she had been raped.
Responses from the accused and the university
One of the men named in the lawsuit sent a text apologizing for how the night unfolded, acknowledging that he and another fraternity member should have intervened earlier. The woman replied that she did not believe the sexual activity had been illegal at that moment. Attorneys for several of the accused men have denied that their clients participated in a sexual assault.
Cornell University says it conducted an internal investigation, resulting in disciplinary actions, expulsions, and the indefinite suspension of the Chi Phi fraternity. The university also agreed to an independent review of how it handled the allegations.
Legal developments
The case has revived scrutiny of the original criminal investigation. Prosecutors initially declined to file charges, but the investigation was reopened after the civil lawsuit was filed. New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to oversee the case, citing a loss of confidence in the local district attorney’s handling of the matter.
Broader context
The allegations come amid ongoing national conversations about campus safety, consent education, and the responsibilities of Greek‑life organizations. While the criminal investigation proceeds, the civil suit seeks accountability from the alleged perpetrators, the university, and the fraternity.
Both the university and the special prosecutor have emphasized their commitment to a thorough and transparent process, aiming to ensure justice for the survivor while upholding due process for the accused.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
