In brief
In response to a lawsuit by a woman alleging she was drugged and gang‑raped at a Cornell fraternity party, President Michael Kotlikoff announced a ban on all fraternity parties for the rest of the year. The university will suspend violators and expand survivor support, hiring trauma‑informed officers and bringing in national experts. Critics say local prosecutors received limited evidence and the university mishandled the case, prompting an Attorney General investigation. Cornell plans to strengthen Title IX compliance and reporting pathways while acknowledging the need for earlier action.
Cornell University has banned all fraternity parties for the remainder of the school year after a lawsuit was filed by an unnamed woman alleging she was drugged and gang‑raped during a 2024 party at a fraternity house.
The university's president, Michael Kotlikoff, said the ban would be enforced through suspensions for any member violating the new policy and that the school would also boost support for survivors, including hiring trauma‑informed police officers and hiring national sexual‑violence experts.
Local prosecutors and state officials have criticized Cornell for limiting the information forwarded to the district attorney’s office, which received only a six‑page victim statement and Snapchat messages advertising a free sexual encounter. Attorney General Letitia James has opened an investigation over the handling of the case.
Cornell also plans to review Title IX procedures and strengthen reporting mechanisms, acknowledging that earlier reforms could have better protected students. Early to be welcoming to survivors like the alleged victim, however, remains a significant challenge for the university.
