New York State Police to Handle Cornell Sexual Assault Complaints as Faculty Vote Proceeds
publishers 28articles 29first reported 28 Oct, 06:30 UTCdeveloping since 28 Oct · 5 editions
New York State Police will take over criminal investigations of future sexual assault complaints at Cornell University under an agreement announced Thursday by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Complaints normally handled by campus police will be referred to state police unless the person reporting the assault requests otherwise.
The change follows criticism of Cornell’s handling of allegations by a woman identified as Jane Doe, who says seven men sexually assaulted or exploited her at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. Her civil lawsuit alleges she was drugged and raped while unable to consent. The seven men have denied the allegations; some attorneys have said sexual activity was consensual, while others dispute their clients’ involvement.
Cornell expelled two students and imposed other discipline after its inquiry, but no criminal charges were filed. Hochul previously appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to reopen the criminal investigation. Cornell trustees also appointed former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to review the university’s response to sexual assault complaints.
Meanwhile, Cornell’s Faculty Senate is proceeding with a nonbinding no-confidence vote on the central administration’s ability to address sexual assault. Faculty members rejected an effort Wednesday to delay voting until the independent review is completed. Electronic voting is scheduled to remain open through Nov. 6.
President Michael Kotlikoff has acknowledged missteps but defended his leadership and asked for time to implement reforms. He has said senior administrators are kept separate from confidential criminal investigations under university policy.
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Written from 5 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 5 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 42 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
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- Source articles
- 29
- Given to the writer
- 5, 4 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 5
- This version written
- 42 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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