Stories
Cornell President "Deeply Disturbed" by Rape Case, Pledges Independent Review
- •Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff expressed deep disturbance over a 2024 student rape allegation, stating his heart aches for the victim and pledging to prevent future incidents.
- •A civil lawsuit has been filed against Cornell, its leaders, the Chi Phi fraternity, a sorority, and seven men, alleging the victim was drugged, intoxicated, and assaulted.
- •Kotlikoff acknowledged the university "could do better" in its handling of such cases and promised greater transparency despite legal and privacy limitations.
- •Cornell's Board of Trustees will announce an independent review by an outside law firm to investigate the university's handling of the case, with actions planned even before the review concludes.
- •New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to investigate the case, a decision supported by Kotlikoff, who also pledged support for legislative changes to state sexual assault laws.
Key Questions Answered
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff released a video message stating he was deeply disturbed by the 2024 rape allegation and expressed that the university must do everything possible to prevent such incidents. He acknowledged community distrust, pledged greater transparency, and announced that the Board of Trustees would initiate an independent review by an outside law firm.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul criticized the handling of the case by university police and the district attorney, and she appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to investigate the matter.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten reopened the investigation because the allegations in the recent civil lawsuit differed significantly from the initial police account, which did not allege that the woman was unknowingly drugged or incapacitated.
