Cornell president breaks silence: "What happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing"

On October 3, Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff addressed a student's rape allegations from 2024, which have sparked widespread outrage. In an eight-minute video statement, Kotlikoff expressed deep concern over the case and acknowledged that questions had been raised about the university’s handling of it. He vowed to be more transparent and welcomed an independent review by an outside law firm. The student, identified as "Jane Doe," sued Cornell University and seven former students, alleging she was drugged and repeatedly raped at a Chi Phi fraternity house in 2024. New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James to conduct a criminal investigation into the case. Kotlikoff noted that the incident raises troubling issues about sexual assault and campus party culture involving alcohol and drug use, and he emphasized the need for Cornell to do better going forward.