Cornell president pledges review after former student alleges fraternity-house gang rape
publishers 16articles 30first reported 1 Oct, 15:14 UTCdeveloping since 1 Oct · 12 editions
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said the school “must do better” after a former student alleged she was drugged and raped by multiple men at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.
The woman, identified as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit in September against Cornell and seven men. She alleges she was intoxicated, could not consent and was assaulted for hours in an incident involving alcohol and ketamine. Her lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, told CNN on Sunday that he believes more than seven men may have participated, citing periods when his client was blacked out.
Cornell police interviewed the woman in November 2024, but no criminal charges were filed after the Tompkins County district attorney determined there was insufficient evidence. District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said his office did not receive the full recording of her two-day police interview and instead received a six-page sworn statement. Cornell has said it followed established protocol by sharing that statement and a Snapchat screenshot with prosecutors.
Kotlikoff said Cornell will hire an outside law firm to review its handling of the case and supports a state criminal investigation led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Cornell’s internal process resulted in two accused students being expelled and two suspended for at least two semesters; two others were found not responsible for sexual misconduct, and one had graduated before discipline could be imposed.
Students nationwide have posted videos under #IAmJaneDoe in support of the accuser and to raise concerns about campus safety and responses to sexual assault.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 74 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 16
- Source articles
- 30
- Given to the writer
- 8, 4 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 74 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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