Pressure Mounts on Cornell to Explain Its Handling of Sexual Assault Allegations
Student protests and a possible faculty no-confidence vote are intensifying scrutiny of the university’s response.
Dozens of Cornell students, faculty members, and supporters rallied outside the university's student center on Monday, demanding greater accountability and an overhaul of how the school handles sexual assault allegations. The protest, organized by various student groups, featured signs asking if Cornell could hear their grievances and calling for an end to the perception that the administration has been "cracking down on protesting."
Among the demands was for Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff to resign and for the institution to ban fraternities. The rally comes as a response to a civil lawsuit filed by a former student, identified as Jane Doe, who alleges she was sexually assaulted by members of the Chi Phi fraternity and claims Cornell was negligent in its response.
Cornell expelled two of the accused students and required others to write essays, but it has not disclosed individual outcomes or confirmed Doe's request for a tuition refund was denied. The protests also saw vandalism at Day Hall, leading the university to investigate the incident.
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