Cornell bans fraternity parties and adds sexual assault investigators after Jane Doe lawsuit

Mixed · 2Cornell University announced on Tuesday 13 October 2026 that it has banned fraternity parties and enlisted sexual assault investigators, after a civil rape lawsuit drew national attention to the Ivy League school. 1 2 Mixed · 2All parties and social events in Interfraternity Council houses are suspended for the remainder of the 2026-2027 academic year, with what President Michael Kotlikoff called "zero tolerance for violations"; the BBC reports that violators would be suspended. 3 2 Right · 1Kotlikoff said the pause will allow a thorough review of fraternity life to determine whether and how it can safely continue. 3

Centre · 1The measures respond to a lawsuit filed last month by a woman known as Jane Doe, who alleges she was plied with drugs and raped by several men at a Cornell fraternity house party in 2024; her lawyer has said she dropped out after the alleged assault. 2 Left · 1The suit names the university, the Chi Phi fraternity, her sorority Tri Delta and seven former Chi Phi members as defendants; attorneys for four of the men say their clients deny assaulting or drugging her, the other three had not responded to requests for comment, and none of the seven has been criminally charged. 4 Mixed · 2Kotlikoff said he was "deeply sorry for the harm Jane Doe suffered in 2024" and that "women on our campus continue to question whether they are safe". 2 1

Mixed · 2On investigations, the New York Post says campus police will hire experienced, trauma-informed criminal investigators independent of Cornell, while the BBC says the school will let New York State Police's trauma-informed officers investigate; they would interview survivors wanting to pursue charges and prepare "comprehensive investigative summaries for the appropriate law enforcement agency". 3 2 Centre · 1Cornell also plans more staff to help people report sexual misconduct and navigate support, and will bring in national sexual violence prevention experts; Kotlikoff described the steps as the first toward "systematic change". 2 Right · 1Kotlikoff said any fraternity holding an in-house party or social event will receive an immediate emergency suspension, and that Cornell would invest in "safe social alternatives"; the Washington Examiner notes the town of Ithaca stopped issuing permits for fraternity and sorority events off campus five days earlier. 5

Right · 1About one-third of Cornell students are in Greek life, and Kotlikoff told the New York Times that fraternity parties have become more central since the pandemic because many bars and venues in Ithaca closed. 3 Centre · 1The BBC reports the school has faced criticism over what it shared with the Tompkins County District Attorney, Matthew Van Houten, who says his office received in 2024 only a six-page statement from the victim and Snapchat messages advertising a free sexual encounter with Doe; state officials have criticised his decision not to bring charges, and Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James to investigate. 2 Mixed · 2Cornell last week named Sally Yates, a former U.S. deputy attorney general, to lead an independent review of how it prevents and responds to sexual misconduct, including its handling of Doe's allegations; Hochul appointed James as special prosecutor after "new information" raised questions about the original handling, Newsweek reports. 6 7

Left · 2Al Jazeera reports that Cornell shut down the fraternity and temporarily suspended the accused students after the 2024 allegations, with two later expelled, though critics called the response too lenient; CBC says Kotlikoff has faced pressure to resign. 8 6 Mixed · 2Jane Doe's lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, said the steps are helpful but "too late to protect Ms. Doe"; he also told Newsweek she has received at least 20 threats since filing suit. 4 7