Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said Saturday that the school “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 surrounding sexual assault, party culture, alcohol and drug use on Cornell’s Ithaca, New York, campus, along with questions about 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.
The case has prompted renewed questions about sexual assault and party culture at Cornell. (Matt Burkhartt/Getty Images, File)
Kotlikoff said Cornell welcomed an independent review by an outside law firm of its handling of the allegations. He also expressed support for 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 finish before acting. Cornell plans to make changes involving prevention and education, student support, mental health and substance-use services, as well as its investigative procedures.
“We will act,” Kotlikoff said.
In a lawsuit, Jane Doe alleges that seven former members of the Chi Phi fraternity drugged and sexually assaulted her during an October 2024 gathering at the fraternity house. She was a 20-year-old Cornell undergraduate at the time.
Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, is facing fresh scrutiny over its response to sexual assault allegations involving seven former fraternity members. (TW Farlow/Getty Images, File)
The men have denied wrongdoing. Some say the sexual activity was consensual, while others deny taking part. No criminal charges have been filed against any of the seven.
Doe filed the 101-page lawsuit last month, 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 when prosecutors initially decided not to bring charges.
Van Houten later reopened the investigation, before Hochul appointed the New York Attorney General’s Office as special prosecutor. James said Friday that her office had begun an “active criminal investigation.”
The Chi Phi fraternity house at Cornell University is shown at left, while New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James appear at right. James has launched an active criminal investigation into allegations arising from an October 2024 incident at the fraternity house. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Kotlikoff also acknowledged growing frustration with Cornell’s public communication about the allegations and its response. He promised that the university would make a stronger effort to communicate openly.
“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 added that Cornell would reassess the role of fraternities and sororities on campus and back efforts to reform New York’s sexual assault laws.
“You have my commitment that this will not be a moment that passes,” Kotlikoff said.