Cornell president says school "must do better" amid criticism of its investigation

Cornell University President Michael I. Kotlikoff addressed the school's administration and community, expressing the need for improvement following criticism over its investigation into allegations of gang rape at a fraternity in 2024. Jane Doe, a former student, filed a lawsuit against the university and seven men, alleging she was drugged and raped at the Chi Phi fraternity chapter in October 2024 when she was 20 years old.

The Tompkins County district attorney found insufficient evidence to support criminal charges, and no criminal charges were filed. However, the district attorney stated he was not provided with the full transcript of Jane Doe's two-day interview with campus police in November 2024, only given a six-page sworn statement based on that interview.

Cornell initially said its police department provided the results of the Title IX investigation to the DA, but later disclosed they shared the victim's sworn statement and a Snapchat screenshot with the district attorney's office. The Snapchat screenshot refers to a group chat involving members of the Chi Phi fraternity on the night of the alleged rape.

District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has reopened the investigation, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed State Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor. Cornell has hired an outside law firm to conduct an independent review of its handling of the matter. The university has expelled two of the accused and suspended two others, with one already having graduated before any punishment could be handed down.

Two were found not responsible for sexual misconduct. Kotlikoff revealed that the school has not communicated enough about its actions after the assault was reported, leading to distrust. He vowed to improve transparency and transparency in the coming weeks.