Cornell University: “Jane Doe” accuses university president Kotlikoff of failure

She is said to have been drugged in October 2024 and then raped for hours by several students at the elite Cornell University in New York State. Now the woman who made these allegations has sharply attacked the university management in a letter. Your criticism in the letter to the faculty management, from which the New York Times quotes, is aimed particularly at the institution's president, Michael Kotlikoff.

According to the newspaper, the woman, known under the pseudonym "Jane Doe," said she wanted to pass on a second-hand report in light of the University Senate's deliberations about a possible vote of no confidence against Kotlikoff.

She then describes events that a confidant is said to have reported to her from a meeting in January 2025. It was actually about a different topic there, but the incident from October was mentioned. Representatives of several student women's associations, Kotlikoff and at least one other person from the university's administration were present, reports the New York Times, citing another source.

Kotlikoff's "first reaction," writes "Jane Doe," "was something like this: 'Why did she wait so long to report it?'" The assault is said to have occurred on the night of October 19th to 20th, and on November 8th the alleged victim officially reported it to the campus police.

The president of her sorority later described the exchange during the meeting, writes “Jane Doe”. She appeared concerned about the conversation. "She interpreted his question as an expression of doubt about the accuracy of my story."

According to the newspaper, the former Cornell student wrote that these descriptions had diminished her trust "in the ability of the school administration to respond to my experience with the understanding, sensitivity and fairness that I had hoped and expected from my dream school."

The university rejected the allegations in response to a request from the New York Times. The “second-hand representation” is incorrect. Kotlikoff commented on the topic, but did not refer to the actions of “Jane Doe”.

"The question 'Why did it take so long to report the assault?' was directed at bystanders who did not use Cornell University's anonymous tip line, even though social media continued to report the incident in October 2024," the university said. Kotlikoff did not question “Jane Doe’s” statement.

At the center of the case at Cornell University are the allegations of “Jane Doe” being raped by several men in October 2024 in a fraternity house. Cornell University banned the connection after the allegations, but only expelled some of those involved from the university. There were initially no criminal consequences. However, following a new civil lawsuit, the case is now being investigated again. The university senate is also scheduled to meet on October 28 to discuss a possible vote of no confidence against Kotlikoff.