Cornell president vows review in wake of alleged student gang rape

Cornell University president Michael Kotlikoff has pledged an independent external review of the university following a student's alleged gang rape in 2024. The incident was revealed in a civil lawsuit filed last month, which detailed how the alleged victim, identified as Jane Doe, was drugged with ketamine and sexually assaulted by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity, a male student social club.

Kotlikoff expressed support for the review in a video statement, emphasizing that the school will take steps to address the issues. Previously, New York Governor Kathy Hochul had re-opened the criminal investigation, appointing Attorney General Letitia James to lead the effort. Hochul criticized the initial investigation at Cornell, stating that the complainant was confident about her claims.

Despite Cornell shutting down the fraternity and suspending several students involved, no criminal charges were filed in 2024 due to the complainant's testimony not establishing a lack of consent. The university has faced significant backlash and widespread support for the alleged victim, with many using the hashtag #IAmJaneDoe. The case has sparked conversations about sexual assault and consent on college campuses, mirroring the #MeToo movement in 2017.