Cornell University has called off its annual homecoming concert as students express support for a former female student who alleges she was gang-raped by fraternity members.
The Cornell Concert Commission, a student-led group, announced Friday on Instagram that the concert would not go ahead this academic year, citing its support for the woman known publicly as Jane Doe.
In a lawsuit filed last month, Jane Doe alleged that seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity sexually assaulted her after pressuring her to consume alcohol and drugs at the fraternity house.
The canceled event was scheduled for October 17 at Barton Hall and was expected to feature the band Between Friends. The commission said everyone who bought a ticket would receive a refund.
Tickets had been priced at $17, with refunds expected to reach purchasers within seven to 10 business days, according to the organization.
“The Cornell Concert Commission is a student-run organization and, as students, we stand with Jane Doe and all survivors of sexual violence,” the group said in its statement.
“It takes tremendous strength to come forward with such a painful truth, and Jane Doe needs all the support she can receive as she navigates this turbulent time,” the statement continued.
The commission also urged Cornell to take action, saying the university must make meaningful changes to protect survivors and support people who believe they were failed by the administration.
The student-run Cornell Concert Commission said Friday that this year’s homecoming concert would be canceled in support of Jane Doe
Jane Doe alleges in a lawsuit that seven Chi Phi members sexually assaulted her after pressuring her to drink alcohol and take drugs
The seven men named in the lawsuit—Umar Matthew Ingalls, Jonathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris and Scott Kretzschmar—have not been criminally charged and deny the allegations.
Jane Doe filed the lawsuit in September against Cornell University, the Chi Phi fraternity, the seven men and other defendants.
According to the complaint, Ingalls, Newell, Lee, Lopes, Sarabia, Norris and Kretzschmar allegedly gang-raped her during a fraternity party on October 19, 2024.
The former student alleges that sexual acts were carried out while she was incapacitated and unable to consent.
She further claims that the fraternity members manipulated her into consuming ketamine and alcohol that evening, according to the lawsuit.
Jane Doe, who was 20 and a sophomore at the time, initially reported the allegations in 2024. Following an investigation led by Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, prosecutors did not file charges.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Stephen A. Smith Apologizes for False Shumpert-Taylor Divorce Claim
The case was reopened after the lawsuit was filed. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has since appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor.
The Cornell concert cancellation comes as demonstrations continue on campus and in cities around the country, with protesters rallying in support of Jane Doe.
Demonstrators gathered in Washington, D.C., on Thursday night to show their support for Jane Doe
The allegations have fueled anger over Cornell’s handling of the matter, particularly the way university administrators responded when Jane Doe first reported the incident.
Ingalls and Newell were both expelled after Jane Doe first reported the alleged assault to the Ivy League university, The New York Times reported.
Meanwhile, Lee was suspended for two years and faced several semesters of disciplinary probation when he returned to campus, according to disciplinary summaries seen by the NYT.
Lopes was suspended for three semesters, followed by two years of probation. Both of them were also ordered to write essays and study sexual harassment, the summaries stated.
Jane Doe has also accused Sarabia of forcibly kissing her that night, according to the lawsuit.
He was banned from campus for three years, and a persona non grata order was issued against him after he graduated at the time of the panel’s ruling, the outlet stated.
The fraternity chapter has since been banned from campus following the school’s investigation
The final two men, Norris and Kretzschmar, were told they could not be in contact with Jane Doe, also had to write essays, and had to study sexual harassment and social media use and bystander intervention as a result of the school’s investigation two years ago.
The fraternity chapter has since been banned from campus following the school’s investigation.
In announcing the cancelation of the event, the Cornell Concert Commission said it is actively ‘working to create a charity concert supporting sexual violence prevention and highlighting the talent within our own community, featuring student bands and DJs.’
The group said all donations for that future event will go toward the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).
According to the announcement, the group plans to welcome Between Friends, a sibling pop duo, back to campus ‘as soon as schedules allow.’