Cornell president calls alleged gang rape 'deeply disturbing,' pledges greater transparency

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff denounced the alleged gang rape of a student at a fraternity house in 2024 as "deeply disturbing" in a video message to the campus community. He acknowledged the case would weigh heavily on the university for years and pledged to increase transparency, citing "real legal and privacy limits" but expressing commitment to investigating.

Kotlikoff supported a state attorney general taking over the criminal investigation and expressed willingness to engage in legislative efforts to alter New York's sexual assault laws, particularly the "voluntary intoxication loophole." Campus unrest grew as students called for the president's resignation during a town hall meeting, expressing distrust due to the university's inadequate communication.