Cornell rape allegations trigger state criminal probe and furious student protests

Cornell University's student government has unanimously passed a series of resolutions demanding sweeping campus reforms, as New York's attorney general takes over a reopened criminal investigation into the alleged gang rape of a student at a fraternity house.

The state intervention and campus protests follow a civil lawsuit filed last month by a former student, identified only as Jane Doe. She alleges that in October 2024, when she was a 20-year-old sophomore, she was coerced into taking ketamine and sexually assaulted by multiple members of the Chi Phi fraternity.

The case has sparked national outrage over the handling of sexual violence on campus, drawing sharp criticism from New York Governor Kathy Hochul. "In what world," Hochul asked, "would the police learn from a victim that she’d been literally gang raped while she was intoxicated by five men in a fraternity house and not elevate those allegations to the district attorney?"

Following the governor's intervention, state Attorney General Letitia James assumed control of the case, which her office confirmed is now an active criminal investigation.

The original investigation in 2024 ended without any criminal charges. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has defended his initial decision, saying a six-page statement signed by the victim at the time described the encounter as voluntary.

However, investigative documents obtained by the media paint a different picture. In a transcript of her interview with the Cornell University Police, the victim stated: "I can say with 100 percent confidence I was raped." She also told officers she was physically hit.

Van Houten later admitted he had not seen the police interview transcript, nor a graphic Snapchat message sent by fraternity members during the assault, before the civil lawsuit was filed.

Lawyers for three of the seven accused men have denied the allegations. One lawyer stated his client entered the room but left immediately without participating.

On campus, students say the university's response has been defensive and secretive. Cornell administrators barred Chi Phi from campus in 2024 and said the students involved faced disciplinary measures, including suspensions and expulsions. However, the university has refused to release details, citing student privacy laws.

Frustration peaked after rumours circulated that some accused students were only required to write essays as punishment. Cornell denied that essays were the sole disciplinary action but declined to clarify further. According to student leaders, some of the accused men were allowed to graduate, while two remain enrolled.

At a packed, three-hour Student Assembly meeting, student leaders passed resolutions demanding that Cornell waive mental health counselling fees for survivors, reform its Title IX procedures, and allow students to review consent and substance abuse training materials.

"We deserve to know that our university will believe us," Sophia Riley Sim, a junior, told the assembly. "We deserve to know that our institution values our safety more than its reputation."

Cornell's administration, led by President Michael Kotlikoff, who did not attend the meeting, has not yet said whether it will implement the student proposals. Meanwhile, the civil lawsuit against the university, the fraternity, and the seven men is moving forward alongside the state's criminal probe.