Cornell president vows ’serious look’ at fraternities, sororities in wake of rape allegations

Cornell University's president has pledged a thorough investigation into the role of fraternities and sororities after a student filed a lawsuit alleging she was drugged and raped by several members of the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024. The lawsuit, filed last month, has sparked widespread outrage and prompted introspection into the campus culture at Cornell in Ithaca, New York.

In a video address, President Michael Kotlikoff assured the community that the university would take steps to prevent such incidents from occurring again. He emphasized that the university will explore ways to preserve the positive aspects of Greek life while strengthening individual accountability, transparency, and a culture that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all members.

The lawsuit accuses Cornell, seven fraternity members, and others of failing to adequately punish the accused students, who have denied the allegations. Cornell has defended its handling of the case, stating that it conducted a comprehensive investigation and banned the Chi Phi fraternity from campus. However, Kotlikoff acknowledged that the university must do better and vowed to be more transparent about its actions related to the 2024 incident.

He also promised to create additional opportunities for community members to ask questions and receive direct guidance from university leadership. The case has reignited discussions about how law enforcement and universities handle sexual assault complaints, with students questioning the adequacy of existing processes. Additionally, New York state officials have appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the matter.