Cornell University boss breaks silence over rape case uproar

Cornell University president Michael Kotlikoff has broken his silence on a 2024 rape allegation that has sparked national outrage. In a video message, Kotlikoff expressed his deep distress over the incident, stating that the university must take all measures to prevent such an event from occurring again. The case, involving a Jane Doe who claims she was drugged, given alcohol, and assaulted, has led to a civil lawsuit filed by her lawyers against the university, its leaders, the Chi Phi fraternity, her sorority, and seven men involved.

The men have largely remained silent, but some of their lawyers have denied criminal wrongdoing. Cornell has defended its handling of the cases, with the president acknowledging that the university could do better. In response to the uproar, Cornell’s Board of Trustees will announce an independent review by an outside law firm to investigate all aspects of the university’s handling of the case.

The review aims to inform additional changes, not delay improvements already underway. Cornell plans to conduct a thorough examination of fraternities and sororities, focusing on accountability, transparency, and members' responsibility to intervene when someone is at risk. The university president also pledged support for legislative efforts to change state sexual assault laws and emphasized the university’s intention to use its research expertise to study sexual assault, trauma, intoxication, and consent.

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