Cornell University bans fraternity party over sexual assault case
Author, Madeline Halpert
Published 5 minutes ago
Reading time: 3 minutes
Cornell University (Cornell University) in the United States has faced strong public backlash over its handling of an alleged sexual assault case on campus two years ago. The school has announced a ban on parties held at all fraternity houses.
Last month, a woman identified in legal documents as "Jane Doe" filed a lawsuit alleging that she was drunk with drugs and alcohol at a fraternity party at Cornell University in 2024 and was later raped by multiple men.
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff announced a series of measures in response to the alleged sexual assault, including a complete ban on fraternity parties for the rest of the academic year.
"I am deeply sorry for the harm Jane Doe suffered in 2024, and I am even more shocked that this incident of sexual violence occurred within the Cornell University community," he said.
"Women on campus clearly still question whether they are safe. We must face up to this moment, acknowledge our shortcomings, and take meaningful action," he added.
Lawyers for the anonymous woman said she had dropped out of school after the alleged assault.
In an interview with The New York Times, Kotlikoff said he did not learn Jane Doe had left the school until the woman filed a lawsuit last month over the alleged sexual assault. The interview was published on Tuesday (October 13).
Cornell University’s Faculty Senate, an internal governance body composed of professors and other faculty members, was originally scheduled to discuss on Wednesday (14th) whether it trusts the school’s leadership to “effectively handle the ongoing crisis.”
Related issues are expected to be put to a vote later, but even if the no-confidence motion is passed, it will mainly be a symbolic gesture.
Prof Paul Ortiz, a professor of labor history who proposed the motion, told the BBC that he and other co-sponsors had received a large number of responses from students, staff, faculty and alumni.
"These women said they were afraid to report sexual assault because they felt Cornell sometimes treated rape as a public relations issue rather than a heinous crime," he said.
Ortiz said the "climate of fear" on campus undermines the community's ability to unite against all forms of violence.
He said the school's administration "has failed to address these core issues" and so far, more than 100 faculty and staff have signed a petition in support of the motion.
Fraternities have existed on college campuses across the United States for decades. As all-male social organizations, members usually live, study and socialize in clubhouses. Over the years, these organizations have been the source of controversy over alcoholism, wild parties and dangerous initiation rituals.
In a statement, an attorney representing the anonymous student said her goal in filing the civil lawsuit is to "achieve improvements for Cornell University and its system for handling assault allegations."
"While the measures announced today help achieve this goal, for Ms. Doe, they come too late to protect her," attorney Thomas Giuffra said.
The president of Cornell University says anyone who violates a new ban on fraternity parties will be suspended.
The school also stated that it plans to strengthen support for survivors of sexual assault, including hiring additional manpower to assist victims in reporting sexual misconduct and understanding and using relevant support services.
Under Title IX, a federal law that requires universities to handle sexual assault allegations, they must provide survivors with support measures to help them continue their studies after the assault.
In a written statement to the Cornell community, Kotlikoff said the school will allow trauma-informed officers from the New York State Police to investigate allegations of sexual assault on campus.
The principal added that the officers would interview survivors who wish to press criminal charges and prepare "comprehensive investigative summaries" for relevant law enforcement agencies.
Cornell University has been criticized for the information it provided to the District Attorney's Office regarding the charges against Jane Doe.
According to Cornell University-related investigative documents obtained by US media, among hundreds of documents, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said that his office only received a six-page statement signed by the victim in 2024, as well as some Snapchat messages. The messages revealed that men at the frat party had advertised a "free" sexual encounter with Doe.
State officials also criticized Van Houten for failing to file criminal charges or interview victims and witnesses in person. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed state Attorney General Letitia James to investigate the case.
Kotlikoff said Cornell will invite national sexual violence prevention experts to examine "factors that contribute to sexual violence on campus and strategies to promote responsible sexual citizenship."
He said these measures are the first step in promoting "systemic reform" on campus.
Since Jane Doe filed the lawsuit earlier this month, the content of text messages between her and fraternity members has provided a glimpse into the subsequent development of the sexual assault that allegedly occurred in October 2024.
