Cornell University announced a comprehensive response to allegations of sexual assault on its campus, implementing a temporary ban on all fraternity parties for the remainder of the academic year. The measures came after a woman filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was assaulted at a fraternity house gathering two years ago.
University President Michael Kotlikoff acknowledged the institution’s shortcomings in its handling of sexual misconduct allegations and pledged to take action. He stated that violations of the new party prohibition would result in student suspension. The school also committed to expanding support services for survivors of sexual assault, including additional staff to assist with reporting procedures and navigating available resources.
Cornell’s response included provisions for New York State Police trauma-informed officers to conduct investigations on campus and prepare reports for relevant law enforcement agencies. The university faced criticism regarding information sharing with local authorities, with the county district attorney’s office reportedly receiving minimal documentation of the allegations despite Cornell’s extensive internal investigation.
State officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul, have scrutinized the local district attorney’s decision not to pursue charges or conduct independent interviews. The state’s attorney general has been tasked with investigating the matter. Cornell indicated it would engage national sexual violence prevention experts to analyze conditions contributing to campus assaults and develop strategies promoting responsible conduct among students.
The university characterized its announced measures as initial steps toward broader systemic changes addressing campus safety and sexual violence prevention.
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