Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff addressed the university community regarding allegations of sexual assault involving seven former fraternity brothers, expressing that "we must do better" in handling such cases. In a video statement, Kotlikoff acknowledged the disturbing nature of the incident and committed to an independent review by an outside law firm while supporting New York Attorney General Letitia James's investigation. He also promised changes in prevention education, student support services, and investigative processes without waiting for review conclusions.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On October 3, Cornell University president Michael Kotlikoff addressed the campus community following a civil lawsuit filed by a student alleging she was drugged and raped by multiple members of the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024. The incident has sparked significant outrage over the university's handling of sexual assault allegations. In an eight-minute video message, Kotlikoff acknowledged that the case raises troubling issues about party culture, alcohol and drug abuse, and dehumanization on campus. He vowed to take steps to prevent such incidents in the future and pledged greater transparency while acknowledging limitations due to legal constraints. The university supports New York Attorney General Letitia James’s independent investigation into how Cornell handled the case.
Written for “Cornell President Reacts To Gang Rape…” on 2026-10-04,
grounded in this article and the 22 other(s) covering the same event.
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said Saturday that the institution "must do better" as it faces questions over its response to sexual assault allegations involving seven former fraternity brothers.
asserted
it → say → brothers
"What happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come.
asserted
happened → happen → years
My heart aches when I think of what she experienced," Kotlikoff said in a video statement to the Cornell community.
asserted
Kotlikoff → ache → community
Kotlikoff said the case raises questions about sexual assault, campus party culture, alcohol and drug abuse on the Ithaca, New York, campus, as well as the investigation conducted after the allegations were reported.
asserted
allegations → say → campus
"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.
asserted
community → want → answers
I believe we as an administration, and we as a community must do better," Kotlikoff said.
asserted
Kotlikoff → believe → community
Kotlikoff welcomed an independent review by an outside law firm into Cornell's handling of the case and said the university supports Gov. Kathy Hochul's decision to turn the criminal investigation over to New York Attorney General Letitia James.
asserted
university → welcome → James
He said Cornell would not wait for those reviews to conclude before making changes to prevention and education, student support, mental health and substance use resources and investigative processes.
asserted
reviews → say → prevention
"We will act," Kotlikoff said.
asserted
Kotlikoff → act → ?
Jane Doe alleges in a lawsuit that seven former Chi Phi fraternity brothers drugged and sexually assaulted her during an October 2024 night at the fraternity house.
asserted
brothers → allege → house
The men have denied wrongdoing, with some maintaining the sexual activity was consensual and others denying they participated.
asserted
they → deny → wrongdoing
No criminal charges have been filed against the seven men.
asserted
charges → file → men
Doe filed a 101-page lawsuit last month accusing the former fraternity members of sexual assault and rape and naming Cornell and other entities.
asserted
Doe → file → Cornell
The case came under renewed scrutiny 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.
asserted
prosecutors → come → charges
Van Houten reopened the investigation before Hochul appointed the Office of the Attorney General as special prosecutor.
asserted
Hochul → reopen → prosecutor
James said Friday that her office was conducting an "active criminal investigation."
Kotlikoff also addressed frustration over Cornell's communication about its response to the allegations and said the university would make a greater effort to be transparent.
"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.
asserted
Kotlikoff → say → actions
Kotlikoff said Cornell would also reexamine the role of fraternities and sororities on campus and support efforts to change New York's sexual assault laws.
asserted
Cornell → say → laws
"You have my commitment that this will not be a moment that passes," Kotlikoff said.
asserted
Kotlikoff → have → commitment
Fox News Digital's Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
asserted
Dorgan → contribute → report
The Aporia
