Cornell president admits he knew of sexual assault report but did not follow up

Cornell University president Michael Kotlikoff acknowledged that he knew a student had reported an alleged sexual assault in November 2024, but did not contact her in the months afterward.

Kotlikoff also said he did not learn that she had left Cornell until she filed a civil lawsuit last month. He said he understood the anger on campus and acknowledged a loss of trust.

Lawsuit names university and students

The former student, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, alleges that seven Chi Phi fraternity members sexually assaulted her at a party at the fraternity house in October 2024. All the men named in the lawsuit have denied wrongdoing, and none has been criminally charged.

After Cornell’s internal investigation, two men were expelled, two were suspended and a graduate was barred from campus. Others received lighter sanctions, including no-contact orders involving Jane Doe and requirements to write reflection papers.

New investigations and Cornell measures

The Tompkins County district attorney previously declined to bring charges, citing insufficient evidence. The district attorney later said the investigation would be reopened, while New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed state Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor.

Cornell announced the suspension of fraternity-house parties for the rest of the academic year. The university also plans to add experienced sexual-assault investigators to work with its police force.

A special committee of Cornell’s Board of Trustees retained Sally Yates, a former deputy attorney general during the Obama administration, to conduct an independent review of the university’s handling and prevention of sexual harassment, sexual assault and related misconduct. Cornell’s faculty senate is expected to hold a rare no-confidence vote on Kotlikoff later this month.