Cornell President Calls Rape Inquiry ‘Defining Moment’ for Campus
New York Times · LC · trust 45/100
Michael I. Kotlikoff said in a video the university would be more transparent, hold Greek groups accountable and improve sexual assault prevention.
In an eight-minute video, the president, Michael I. Kotlikoff, acknowledged the distrust that has gripped his campus since a lawsuit alleging a gang rape at a campus fraternity garnered national attention. He promised that the university, which has been criticized for its handling of the initial allegations, would be more transparent going forward.
Mr. Kotlikoff, who has served in the role for about two years, struck a conciliatory tone, saying the university supported an independent investigation and would work to find ways to hold Greek life accountable.
“This has been one of the most difficult weeks in our history,” Mr. Kotlikoff said.
A woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, claimed in a lawsuit filed last month that she was sexually assaulted in October 2024 at a Chi Phi fraternity house on Cornell’s campus by seven men and that the school and local law enforcement failed to punish those involved appropriately. None of the accused men have been charged with a crime, and they have denied wrongdoing , and the university has defended its handling of the allegations.
The claims made in Jane Doe’s lawsuit, along with the release this week of internal school documents that included Jane Doe’s account and testimony from six of the seven men, prompted Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York to appoint Letitia James, the state’s attorney general, to oversee the investigation into Jane Doe’s allegations.
Ms. Hochul held a news conference on Friday in which she strongly criticized Cornell University’s campus police and the county’s district attorney. She had already put pressure on the university to conduct an outside investigation by an independent law firm.
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