Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said the institution «must do better» as it faces mounting scrutiny over its handling of sexual assault allegations involving seven former fraternity brothers, acknowledging that the case has deeply shaken the campus community.
In a video statement released Saturday, Kotlikoff addressed the allegations directly, saying, «What happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come. My heart aches when I think of what she experienced.» The case centers on a lawsuit filed last month by a woman identified as Jane Doe, who alleges that seven former members of the Chi Phi fraternity drugged and sexually assaulted her during an October 2024 night at the fraternity house. She was a 20-year-old Cornell undergraduate at the time.
The seven men have denied wrongdoing, with some claiming the encounter was consensual and others denying any involvement. No criminal charges have been filed. Doe's 101-page lawsuit names Cornell and other entities as defendants, accusing the university of failing to adequately respond to her report.
Kotlikoff said the case raises broader questions about sexual assault, campus party culture, and alcohol and drug abuse at the Ithaca, New York, campus, as well as about the investigation conducted after the allegations were reported. «I want to acknowledge something that can be difficult for an institution to say: we don't have all the answers, but we are committed to investigating and finding the answers our community deserves,» he said. «I believe we as an administration, and we as a community, must do better.»
The university president welcomed an independent review by an outside law firm into Cornell's handling of the case and expressed support for Governor Kathy Hochul's decision to turn the criminal investigation over to New York Attorney General Letitia James. James said Friday that her office is conducting an «active criminal investigation.»
The case drew renewed attention after Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said his office had not received the full transcript of Doe's November 2024 interview with Cornell University Police before prosecutors initially declined to pursue charges. Van Houten reopened the investigation before Hochul appointed the Attorney General's office as special prosecutor.
Kotlikoff said Cornell would not wait for the reviews to conclude before making changes. He outlined plans to strengthen prevention and education, student support, mental health and substance use resources, and investigative processes. «We will act,» he said.
He also addressed frustration over the university's communication, pledging greater transparency. «There are real legal and privacy limits on what we can say, but we will make a greater effort to explain what we can to provide context about the actions Cornell has taken and to be more transparent,» Kotlikoff said.
Additionally, Kotlikoff said Cornell would reexamine the role of fraternities and sororities on campus and support efforts to change New York's sexual assault laws. «You have my commitment that this will not be a moment that passes,» he said.
The allegations have sparked a political firestorm, with conflicting accounts and questions about how the university and local authorities handled the initial report. The independent review and the Attorney General's investigation are ongoing, and no timeline has been given for their completion.