Cornell taps Sally Yates to lead review of its response to sexual misconduct claims

A coalition of former Cornell University students is requesting the institution to publicly absolve them of involvement in a 2024 sexual assault allegation. The individuals, who belonged to the Chi Phi fraternity and graduated in 2022 and 2023, claim they have been falsely linked to the incident and subjected to online harassment.

A lawyer for the group, Adam Ford, sent a letter to the university on October 3, asking for a confirmation that the men were not part of the alleged assault. The lawsuit, filed by Jane Doe in September, alleges that a fraternity member sent a message to a Chi Phi Snapchat group chat suggesting a woman was available for sex, resulting in hours of sexual assault.

Although no criminal charges were brought, New York Attorney General Letitia James has been appointed special counsel to investigate the case. The men's names were exposed on a website dedicated to uncovering those connected to the rape, leading to threats and adverse actions against them, such as being placed on leave from their employers and educational institutions.

Ford's letter to Cornell's vice president and general counsel emphasizes the university's role in rectifying the public record and issuing a clear statement that the men were not involved in the alleged assault.