Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said Saturday that the university “must do better” as it confronts mounting questions about its handling of sexual assault allegations involving seven former fraternity members.
“What happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come. My heart aches when I think of what she experienced,” Kotlikoff said in a video message to the Cornell community.
He said the case has exposed broader concerns involving sexual assault, campus party culture, alcohol and drug abuse at Cornell’s Ithaca, New York, campus, as well as the university’s investigation after the allegations were reported.
“I want to acknowledge something that can be difficult for an institution to say: We don’t have all the answers, but we are committed to investigating and finding the answers our community deserves. I believe we, as an administration and as a community, must do better,” Kotlikoff said.
Kotlikoff said the case has raised questions about sexual assault and campus party culture. (Matt Burkhartt/Getty Images, File)
Kotlikoff said Cornell welcomed an independent review by an outside law firm into its handling of the allegations. He also said the university supports Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to transfer the criminal investigation to New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The university, he said, will not wait for those reviews to be completed before pursuing changes to sexual assault prevention and education, student support, mental health and substance-use resources, and investigative procedures.
“We will act,” Kotlikoff said.
In a lawsuit, Jane Doe alleges that seven former Chi Phi fraternity brothers drugged and sexually assaulted her during a night at the fraternity house in October 2024. Doe was a 20-year-old Cornell undergraduate at the time.
Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., is under renewed scrutiny over its response to sexual assault allegations involving seven former fraternity members. (TW Farlow/Getty Images, File)
The men have denied wrongdoing. Some have said the sexual activity was consensual, while others have denied taking part. No criminal charges have been filed against the seven men.
Last month, Doe filed a 101-page lawsuit accusing the former fraternity members of sexual assault and rape. The complaint also names Cornell and other entities as defendants.
The case drew renewed attention after Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said his office had not received the complete transcript of Doe’s November 2024 interview with Cornell University Police before prosecutors initially declined to bring charges.
Van Houten reopened the investigation before Hochul appointed the state attorney general’s office as special prosecutor. James said Friday that her office had launched an “active criminal investigation.”
The Chi Phi fraternity house at Cornell University, left, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul with Attorney General Letitia James, right. James has opened an active criminal investigation into sexual assault allegations arising from an October 2024 incident at the fraternity house. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Kotlikoff also acknowledged frustration with Cornell’s public communications about its response to the allegations and said the university would work to provide more transparency.
“There are real legal and privacy limits on what we can say, but we will make a greater effort to explain what we can, provide context about the actions Cornell has taken and be more transparent,” Kotlikoff said.
He said Cornell would also reassess the role of fraternities and sororities on campus and support efforts to change New York’s sexual assault laws.
“You have my commitment that this will not be a moment that passes,” Kotlikoff said.
