+34
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff has voiced support for an outside law firm to review the school's handling of a 2024 rape allegation. New York's governor has appointed the attorney-general to lead a reopened criminal investigation and thousands have posted online support for the accuser.
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said Saturday he supports an independent external review of the Ivy League school's handling of a 2024 rape allegation, as a criminal investigation into the case was reopened and thousands of women posted online support for the accuser.
Cornell Leadership Backs External Review
He said he welcomed the review by an outside law firm into all aspects of Cornell's handling of the 2024 matter, in conjunction with the board of trustees. In a video shared on Cornell's website, Kotlikoff said this has been one of the most difficult weeks in the university's history. He said what happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on the community for years to come.
Kotlikoff added that his heart aches when he thinks of what she experienced. The case stems from a civil lawsuit filed in September against Cornell University, its leaders, the Chi Phi fraternity, the plaintiff's sorority and seven men. The suit claims the woman was given drugs and alcohol, including ketamine, and assaulted and raped at a fraternity house in 2024 by seven members of Chi Phi, a social club for male students.
The men have largely remained silent, though lawyers for at least three have denied criminal wrongdoing. The university has defended aspects of its handling of the case, while Kotlikoff acknowledged on Oct 3 that it could do better. He cited real legal and privacy limits on what the school can say but promised a greater effort to explain what it can and to be more transparent.
Reopened Criminal Investigation Draws Scrutiny
The criminal investigation was reopened Monday, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointing the state's top prosecutor, Attorney General Letitia James, to lead the effort as a special prosecutor. James's office will have authority to prosecute offences and present evidence to a grand jury if warranted. Kotlikoff said he supported the decision and pledged the university's full support. Hochul criticized how the initial investigation unfolded at Cornell, which is located in Ithaca in central New York state.
She said the woman sat for hours and told police exactly what happened to her. According to new reports, Hochul said, she could not have been clearer that she was 100 per cent confident that she had been raped. Hochul also criticized the university police and the district attorney's handling of the case. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten cited a state law in defending his initial decision not to pursue charges in 2024.
He said the woman's original statement to police described voluntary drug use and sexual activity. Local authorities said they declined to prosecute because the complainant's testimony did not establish a lack of consent. The case has renewed scrutiny of a state law that makes it difficult to prosecute sexual assaults involving people who voluntarily consume alcohol or drugs, even if they became too intoxicated to consent.
Calls to Close Voluntary Intoxication Loophole
Critics have long sought to close what they call the voluntary intoxication loophole, which distinguishes between people incapacitated by drugs administered without their consent and those who voluntarily became intoxicated. Hochul has pledged to push for changes to the law, and Kotlikoff pledged Cornell's full support for legislative efforts to change state sexual-assault laws.
Kotlikoff said next week Cornell's Board of Trustees will announce an independent review by an outside law firm to investigate all aspects of Cornell's handling of the case. He said the school would weigh an independent review called for by Hochul. He added that Cornell will not wait for the investigation or the review to be completed before acting, and that the review should inform additional changes rather than delay improvements already underway.
Hochul declined to take a position on whether Kotlikoff should resign, saying at a news conference Friday that she did not yet have enough information. During a student assembly hearing Thursday, several speakers called for Kotlikoff's resignation. The hearing gave students a chance to voice concerns and discuss proposals to improve Cornell's response to sexual assault. Kotlikoff called for a serious look at the role of fraternities and sororities in campus life.
He said Cornell would engage students, alumni and others in examining how to preserve the benefits of Greek life while strengthening accountability and transparency. Being part of a group can never diminish individual responsibility for our own actions, for how we treat others or for speaking up when someone may be at risk, he said. He did not announce specific new restrictions on Greek life.
Cornell Shuts Down Chi Phi Fraternity
Following the rape allegations, Cornell shut down the fraternity and temporarily suspended the students allegedly involved, several of whom were later expelled. The university has defended aspects of its handling while facing widespread outcry and harsh backlash against Cornell and New York prosecutors for not filing criminal charges against the accused perpetrators.
Meanwhile, thousands of American women have taken to social media to support the alleged victim after a political commentator threatened to reveal her identity. Messages of support with the hashtag IAmJaneDoe have proliferated on TikTok, X and Instagram, with users claiming to be the alleged victim in a bid to make it harder to identify her.
Online Support and Campus Sexual Assault Research
Some US media outlets have compared the wave of online support to the MeToo movement in 2017, when millions of women took to social media to share stories of sexual assault and harassment following revelations about Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Kotlikoff said Cornell eventually plans to use its research expertise to study sexual assault, trauma, intoxication and consent, and promote policies beyond its campus. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting an independent review of Cornell's handling of the case.
In the United States, one in four female undergraduates reported forced sexual contact or sexual contact for which they could not consent, according to a 2020 study of 33 institutions by the Association of American Universities.
Please follow us on Google to support us
asiaonecom 
straits_times:Cornell president says he is ‘deeply disturbed’ by rape case 
ChannelNewsAsia:Cornell president vows review in wake of alleged student gang rapeThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Michael Kotlikoff Jane Doe Lawsuit Greek Life Reform Sexual Assault Investigation 2024 Rape Allegation Letitia James Investigation Iamjanedoe
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New York Gov. Hochul Orders Special Prosecutor in Cornell Rape CaseNew York Governor Kathy Hochul named Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to investigate an alleged 2024 gang rape at Cornell University.
Read more »
Cornell University Faces Civil Lawsuit Over 2024 Sexual Assault AllegationCornell University is facing a civil lawsuit filed by a Jane Doe who alleges she was given drugs and alcohol and assaulted by seven students. The case has prompted criticism of the university's handling of sexual-assault allegations, plans for an independent review, proposed reforms to Greek life accountability, and calls for stronger legal protections.
Read more »
Cornell to Review Greek Life After Fraternity Rape LawsuitCornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said the university will examine the role of fraternities and sororities on campus after a civil lawsuit alleged that members of Chi Phi drugged and raped a student in 2024. The lawsuit also claims Cornell failed to adequately punish some of those accused. The university said it conducted a comprehensive investigation, imposed disciplinary measures including expulsions, and barred Chi Phi from campus, but acknowledged that it must improve its response.
Read more »