Cornell University trustees announced Tuesday that Sally Yates will lead an independent review of the university’s prevention of and response to sexual harassment, sexual assault and related misconduct, following criticism over its handling of a former student’s rape allegations.
The review will examine how reports are received and investigated, student support, hearings, disciplinary decisions and appeals, campus police, coordination with other law enforcement agencies, safety reporting, and oversight of fraternities, sororities and other student groups. Reports said the announcement followed anger over allegations of a 2024 gang rape at a fraternity house. Trustee Chair Anne Meinig Smalling said, “It is imperative that Cornell be willing to examine itself with the same rigor we expect of others.” Yates is a former U.S. deputy attorney general and a partner at King & Spalding, according to Cornell.