Cornell president says university ‘must do better’ after frat house rape allegations

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff has said the university “must do better” after the alleged 2024 gang rape of a student at a fraternity house, calling the Cornell rape allegations “deeply disturbing” in an eight-minute video statement released on Saturday. His remarks, his first on-camera statement on the case, came as New York’s attorney general opened a criminal investigation into how the allegations were handled.

Key Facts

• The alleged incident took place on the night of October 19, 2024, at the Chi Phi fraternity house in Ithaca, New York. The student, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, alleges she was sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members.
• Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten declined to pursue criminal charges in 2024. New York Attorney General Letitia James has now opened a criminal investigation, replacing the district attorney.
• Jane Doe sued Cornell University and seven former students in September 2026, alleging the university failed to protect her and adequately punish those involved.
• President Kotlikoff pledged an independent review of the case by an outside law firm, with details to be announced by Cornell’s Board of Trustees next week.
• Governor Kathy Hochul called the original police investigation “deeply disturbing” and pledged to push for changes to New York’s sexual assault law.

President’s Video Statement

In the video message to the Cornell community, Kotlikoff described the past week as one of the most difficult in the university’s history and acknowledged troubling questions about the investigations that followed the allegations. “My heart aches when I think of what she experienced,” he said.

The president said the case raises “heartbreaking and troubling issues about sexual assault, dehumanization, and aspects of party culture, alcohol, and drug use.” He added: “I believe we as an administration and we as a community must do better.” Calling the moment “a defining moment in Cornell’s history,” he pledged greater transparency within legal and privacy limits and committed the university to strengthening sexual assault prevention, mental health, and substance-use programs.

Cornell rape allegations draw state-level scrutiny

Cornell police investigated the allegations in 2024. Records show that in November 2024, the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office declined to review additional evidence gathered by campus police — including more interviews and messages — beyond the accuser’s six-page signed statement, having decided that “criminal charges would not be pursued in this case.”

The university initially said campus police had shared “all investigatory information” with the district attorney, but later corrected that statement, saying police had shared the victim’s sworn statement and a Snapchat screenshot. Governor Hochul sharply questioned that handling on Friday: “In what world would the police learn from a victim that she’d been literally gang raped while intoxicated by five men in a fraternity house and not elevate those allegations to the district attorney?”

Attorney General Letitia James has since opened a criminal investigation into the allegations, taking over from District Attorney Van Houten, and said her office will provide updates “as they become available.” Both the district attorney and Cornell have said they support her appointment. Van Houten has cited New York’s “voluntary intoxication loophole,” which makes it difficult to prosecute sexual assaults involving people who voluntarily consumed alcohol or drugs, in defending his initial decision.

Student Outrage on Campus

At a student assembly hearing on Thursday, students voiced anger and disappointment over the university’s response, with several speakers calling for Kotlikoff’s resignation. The Cornell chapter of the American Association of University Professors said it was “deeply disturbed” by the administration’s response and communications, both in 2024 and now.

Cornell canceled all social fraternity events this weekend, and student groups have announced plans to protest on campus on Monday to “hold our university responsible,” as world news coverage of the case continues to grow.

Greek Life Under Review

Kotlikoff said the university will reengage students, alumni, and community members to examine the role of Greek organizations in campus life, aiming to preserve what is valuable about it while strengthening individual accountability and a culture in which every member understands their responsibility to protect others.

According to the accuser’s attorney, the initial university investigation led to suspensions and expulsions of the accused students, the barring of the Chi Phi chapter from campus, and the launch of a sexual assault task force. A university disciplinary panel’s 99-page decision, based on more than 50 interviews including six of the seven accused men, found that four of them acknowledged sexual contact with Doe but said it was consensual, while the others denied participating.

The Civil Lawsuit

Jane Doe filed her civil lawsuit in September 2026 against Cornell University and seven former students, alleging the university breached its duty to protect her and failed to adequately punish the individuals accused. Court filings show that one Chi Phi member named in the suit is now petitioning New York courts to invalidate a university disciplinary finding against him.

Conclusion

The Cornell rape allegations have become a defining test for one of America’s most prominent universities — of how it investigates sexual assault, how it communicates with its community, and whether its promises of reform lead to concrete change. With a state criminal investigation now underway, an independent review on the horizon, and students demanding accountability, the coming weeks will determine whether Cornell’s acknowledgment that it “must do better” becomes a turning point or merely a statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the allegations in the Cornell case?

A student, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members at the Chi Phi fraternity house in Ithaca on the night of October 19, 2024. She also alleges the university mishandled the investigation and its response.

Why were no criminal charges filed in 2024?

The Tompkins County district attorney declined to pursue charges, citing the accuser’s original statement and New York’s “voluntary intoxication loophole,” which makes prosecutions difficult when the victim voluntarily consumed alcohol or drugs. The district attorney also declined to review additional evidence gathered by campus police.

Who is investigating the case now?

New York Attorney General Letitia James has opened a criminal investigation, taking over from the Tompkins County district attorney at Governor Kathy Hochul’s direction. Cornell’s Board of Trustees will also announce an independent review by an outside law firm.

What did Cornell’s president say?

President Michael Kotlikoff called the allegations “deeply disturbing,” said the university “must do better,” and pledged greater transparency, support for changing the state’s sexual assault law, and a review of Greek life on campus.

What legal action has the student taken?

Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit in September 2026 against Cornell University and seven former students, alleging the university failed to protect her and adequately punish those accused.

What happens next?

The attorney general’s criminal investigation is underway, Cornell’s board will announce an independent review next week, and student groups plan to continue protesting on campus — keeping pressure on the university to deliver the reforms it has promised.