Cornell University on Monday criticized the alleged victim in a fraternity gang-rape case, calling her “irresponsible” for suggesting the accused faced little more than an essay-writing punishment.
The embattled Ivy League school did not deny that the seven accused students were ordered to write essays following the alleged assault. However, Cornell said the essays were not the only disciplinary measures imposed.
“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, arguing that it presented an “irresponsible” account by implying the accused fraternity members faced minimal 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’s investigation resulted in some of the fraternity members being suspended and others being expelled.
In an earlier statement to The Post, which first reported on the lawsuit, the university said “federal privacy law” barred it from publicly discussing “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 expulsions compared with temporary suspensions. The university also has not disclosed whether any of the men remain enrolled.
Cornell did not respond to a list of questions from The Post seeking clarification.
The accuser filed a civil lawsuit against the men after the district attorney initially declined to bring criminal charges in the case.