<p>Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff stated that an alleged gang rape at a fraternity house has raised significant concerns regarding the university's "party culture". He pledged to evaluate the role of Greek life on campus as New York officials take over the criminal investigation.</p>
<p>Kotlikoff addressed the allegations involving a former student, identified as Jane Doe, in an eight-minute message to the Cornell community on Saturday, describing the incident from 2024 as "deeply disturbing" and acknowledging criticism regarding the university's handling of the case.</p>
<p>“What happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come,” Kotlikoff said. “My heart aches when I think of what she experienced. It raises heartbreaking and troubling issues about sexual assault, dehumanization, and aspects of party culture, alcohol, and drug use. It also raises questions around the investigations conducted after the allegations were reported.”</p>
<p>Kotlikoff expressed support for Governor Kathy Hochul's decision to assign the criminal investigation to state Attorney General Letitia James. He also welcomed an independent review by an outside law firm into Cornell’s handling of the allegations, which the university’s board of trustees is expected to announce next week.</p>
<p>Hochul appointed James as special prosecutor on Thursday after expressing a loss of confidence in Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, who had decided not to prosecute the case in 2024. Van Houten reopened the case on Monday based on new evidence submitted by the alleged victim.</p>
<p>Van Houten revived the case after Doe filed a lawsuit alleging that seven then-members of Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity drugged and sexually assaulted her at the fraternity house in October 2024. No criminal charges were filed following the initial investigation.</p>
<p>Kotlikoff indicated that Cornell would not wait for the external investigations to conclude before implementing changes, mentioning potential improvements in sexual assault prevention, mental health and substance-use resources, and the university’s investigative procedures.</p>
<p>He also stated that the university should take a “serious look” at fraternities and sororities.</p>
<p>“At their best, these organizations can provide students with friendship, belonging, mentorship, and a powerful sense of community,” Kotlikoff said. “But being part of a group can never diminish individual responsibility for our own actions, for how we treat others, for speaking up when someone may be at risk.”</p>
<p>Kotlikoff reaffirmed his support for Hochul’s initiative to strengthen laws governing how colleges and universities manage sexual assault reporting and investigations.</p>
<p>Additionally, Kotlikoff acknowledged public frustration regarding Cornell’s response, noting that legal and privacy restrictions limit what officials can disclose, but he promised that the university would strive to communicate its actions more effectively.</p>
<p>“You have my commitment that this will not be a moment that passes,” he said. “We will continue taking every step necessary to make Cornell an institution that leads not just in what we say about these issues, but in the work that we do to address them. We are listening. We are learning. We are committed to communicating more openly.</p>
<p>“This is a defining moment in Cornell’s history. We must be the way. We owe it to Jane Doe and to survivors of assault to get this right, and we must keep each other safe.”</p>