Cornell president vows review in wake of alleged student gang rape

Cornell University president Michael Kotlikoff announced on Saturday his support for an independent investigation by an external law firm into all facets of the 2024 alleged student gang rape case. The incident, detailed in a recent lawsuit, has sparked widespread outrage and criticism towards the Ivy League institution and New York prosecutors for not pursuing criminal charges against the accused.

In a video posted on Cornell's website, Kotlikoff expressed deep concern over the alleged assault, stating that the alleged victim, identified as Jane Doe, was drugged with ketamine and raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity, a male social fraternity on campus. The president acknowledged that the case has been one of the most challenging periods in the university's history, and that the impact on the community will be long-lasting.

The criminal investigation into the alleged gang rape was recently reopened by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who appointed the state's top prosecutor, Attorney General Letitia James, to lead the effort. Hochul criticized the initial handling of the complainant's claims at Cornell, noting that she provided detailed statements to police and expressed complete confidence that she had been raped.

While Cornell welcomes the criminal investigation, Kotlikoff emphasized that the university will not wait for its completion before taking action. The institution will continue to take all necessary steps to become a leader in addressing these issues, not just through words, but through tangible actions.