Cornell University Protesters Vandalize Building Over Alleged Fraternity Assault

Student groups at Cornell University are calling for the abolition of Greek life and punitive action following allegations of a gang rape at a local fraternity. In the early hours of Monday, protesters vandalized Day Hall, the university's main administrative building, breaking a glass door and spray-painting messages on the walls. The incident occurred in response to allegations regarding a 2024 gang rape at the Chi Phi fraternity. Activists expressed their frustration over the university's handling of the case with slogans such as "At Cornell rapists are protected, protesters are expelled" and "Smash the patriarchy". Cornell spokesperson Kyle Kimball stated that the university is investigating the vandalism and acknowledged the strong emotions within the community, but emphasized that damaging property is not a solution. The allegations stem from a civil lawsuit filed by an anonymous student, Jane Doe, who claims she was raped at a fraternity party on October 19, 2024, after being pressured to consume alcohol and take the drug ketamine. The lawsuit names seven former students as defendants, and their lawyers have denied the allegations. The case has sparked national discussions about the handling of sexual violence on college campuses. During a rally on Monday, students demanded reforms to the university's sexual assault complaint process, the removal of certain officials, and stricter disciplinary measures against those accused of assault. They also called for the expulsion of Chi Phi members involved in the alleged incident and proposed replacing the Office of Student Conduct with a more democratic disciplinary system. The students aimed to highlight systemic failures that allow sexual violence to persist. Under pressure from New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, Cornell announced it would appoint a law firm to conduct an independent review of its handling of the case. A transcript revealed that Doe had previously informed campus police that she was "100% confident" she was raped, despite no charges being filed. The lawsuit also claims that the university allowed the accused fraternity members to submit essays to mitigate their conduct, resulting in the expulsion of two members and the suspension of two others.