Cornell University on Monday criticized the woman who says she was the victim of a fraternity gang rape, calling it “irresponsible” to suggest the accused students faced only an essay-writing punishment.
The embattled Ivy League school did not dispute that the seven young men accused in the case were required to write essays following the alleged assault. However, Cornell said the students also faced additional disciplinary consequences.
“None of the individuals charged were offered the opportunity to write essays as a sole consequence of their involvement,” the university said in a statement issued just hours after the local district attorney announced a new criminal investigation into the alleged ketamine-fueled gang rape.
Cornell also sharply criticized the accuser’s lawsuit, saying it promoted what the university described as a false impression that the accused fraternity members faced few meaningful consequences.
“A continuation of the false narrative that there were minimal consequences in this case is irresponsible, will make survivors feel less safe and supported, and will perpetuate the underreporting of sexual assault,” the university said.
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According to Cornell, an internal disciplinary panel investigated the allegations and some of the fraternity members were suspended or expelled.
In an earlier statement to The Post, which first reported on the lawsuit, the university said “federal privacy law” prevented it from publicly disclosing “any other disciplinary response.”
Although Cornell has now acknowledged that some of the students were expelled, it has not said how many of the seven defendants received expulsion compared with temporary suspension. The university also has not clarified whether any of the accused students remain enrolled in classes.
Cornell did not respond to a list of questions from The Post seeking further details.
The woman accusing the students filed a civil lawsuit against them after the district attorney initially declined to bring criminal charges.
