Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff has addressed allegations of a gang rape on campus, speaking out after the institution faced intense criticism over its response. The accuser’s attorney says the former student is “hanging on by a string.”
A lawsuit filed in September describes alleged abuse at the university’s Chi Phi fraternity house. The female student claims that seven male students raped and sexually assaulted her while she was intoxicated.
The case also raised questions about why the district attorney’s office did not investigate the allegations. In response, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor.
After the appointment, Kotlikoff released a video message online saying he supported the governor’s decision and welcomed an outside review.
He acknowledged that concerns had been raised about Cornell’s handling of the allegations two years ago and pledged that the university would work to improve its response.
The lawsuit has placed both Cornell’s administration and District Attorney Matthew Van Houten’s office under scrutiny as the public continues to examine the aftermath of the alleged incident, which was first reported two years ago.
In a recent interview with NBC News, the accuser’s attorney, Thomas Giuffra, said the incident had “upended [Jane Doe’s] life in such a tragic way” and that she was “not doing well.”
Giuffra said his client grew up in a small town and had dreamed since childhood of attending Cornell’s Hotel School. “This was her desire,” he said.
A Cornell University student alleges in a lawsuit that multiple fraternity members raped her at the Chi Phi house in 2024
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff said in a Saturday video message that the administration welcomed an investigation into its handling of the alleged 2024 rape
The lawsuit includes alleged Snapchat messages in which Chi Phi members discussed the incident
Giuffra said the trauma became so severe that Jane Doe considered leaving Cornell but feared the financial consequences of withdrawing.
“She had to stay there, and then ultimately, she couldn’t take it anymore. Her mother was up there constantly, and she had to leave,” Giuffra said.
The student, identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe, eventually left Cornell. The complaint alleges that just two of the seven men accused of attacking her were expelled, while others were required only to complete essays.
Jane Doe provided a statement to authorities after the alleged incident, but the district attorney’s office did not bring charges.
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Van Houten defended that decision, pointing to differences between Jane Doe’s initial statement and the allegations presented in the lawsuit. Giuffra has disputed that characterization.
Kotlikoff said he welcomed an investigation into Cornell’s response and backed Hochul’s decision to appoint James. He also said the university would support legislative efforts to strengthen laws concerning sexual assault and intoxication.
The president described the period following the lawsuit’s filing as “one of the most difficult weeks” in Cornell’s history and said students were “angry, sad and struggling.”
“What happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come,” Kotlikoff said.
“My heart aches when I think of what she experienced. It raises heartbreaking and troubling issues about sexual assault, dehumanization and aspects of party culture, alcohol and drug use.”
‘We must do everything we can to prevent what happened to Jane Doe, and everyone before her, and anyone after her, from ever happening again.’
Kotlikoff promised to improve campus culture and ensure students understand consent moving forward.
He added that campus administration would make a ‘greater effort’ to be transparent with students.
Kotlikoff said there will be announcements in the coming weeks for broader conversations, including the role that Greek life plays on campus.
The president concluded that Cornell was ‘listening, learning and committed to communicating more openly.’
‘This is a defining moment in Cornell’s history. We must lead the way. We owe it to Jane Doe and to survivors of assault to get this right, and we must keep each other safe,’ he said.
The governor has reiterated the public’s concerns about the initial handling of the case, saying in a statement that ‘newly released information continues to raise serious questions about the investigation,’ which has in turn ‘undercut my faith, and the public’s faith.’
Giuffra praised the decision to appoint James, adding he ‘had no faith in DA Van Houten’s ability or desire to actively investigate and prosecute this case.’
This is a developing story…
