Cornell’s president referred to as the alleged gang rape of a pupil at a fraternity home in 2024 “deeply disturbing” Saturday, mentioned it could weigh on the college for years to return and pledged better transparency amid mounting outrage over the college’s dealing with of the case.
In an eight-minute video message to the Cornell neighborhood, Michael Kotlikoff described the previous week as one of the tough within the college’s historical past and acknowledged troubling questions concerning the investigations that adopted the allegations.
Click on right here to look at full video assertion from Cornell president
“My coronary heart aches once I consider what she skilled,” Kotlikoff mentioned. “It raises heartbreaking and troubling points about sexual assault, dehumanization and points of celebration tradition, alcohol and drug use.”
Kotlikoff reaffirmed his dedication to supporting an unbiased evaluation of Cornell’s dealing with of the case referred to as for by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and mentioned the college’s Board of Trustees would announce particulars subsequent week.
He additionally expressed assist for Hochul’s choice to show the prison investigation over to the state legal professional common.
“I wish to acknowledge one thing that may be tough for an establishment to say,” Kotlikoff mentioned. “We don’t have all of the solutions, however we’re dedicated to investigating and discovering the solutions our neighborhood deserves.”
Scrutiny has mounted in latest days over Cornell’s response to allegations that the girl was sexually assaulted by a number of fraternity members in 2024. The lady, recognized in court docket paperwork as Jane Doe, has sued the college and 7 former college students.
Throughout a pupil meeting listening to Thursday that gave college students a chance to voice issues and focus on proposals to enhance Cornell’s response to sexual assault, a number of audio system referred to as for Kotlikoff’s resignation.
Hochul, requested at a information convention Friday whether or not she believed Kotlikoff ought to resign over the college’s dealing with of the case, declined to take a place, saying she didn’t but have sufficient info.
Kotlikoff acknowledged frustration that Cornell has not communicated sufficient, saying that has led to mistrust. Whereas citing “actual authorized and privateness limits” on what the college can disclose, he pledged better transparency and extra alternatives for college students, mother and father and others to have interaction with college leaders. He additionally dedicated Cornell’s assist to legislative efforts to vary New York’s sexual assault legal guidelines.
The case has renewed scrutiny of a state legislation that makes it tough to prosecute sexual assaults involving individuals who voluntarily eat alcohol or medicine, even when they turned too intoxicated to consent.
Tompkins County District Legal professional Matthew Van Houten cited the legislation in defending his preliminary choice to not pursue costs, saying the girl’s authentic assertion to police described voluntary drug use and sexual exercise.
What to know concerning the investigation into Cornell College gang rape allegations
Critics have lengthy sought to shut what they call the “voluntary intoxication loophole,” which distinguishes between individuals incapacitated by medicine administered with out their consent and people who voluntarily turned intoxicated. Hochul has pledged to push for modifications to the legislation.
Kotlikoff additionally referred to as for a “critical take a look at the function of fraternities and sororities in campus life,” saying Cornell would interact college students, alumni and others in analyzing the way to protect the advantages of Greek life whereas strengthening accountability and transparency.
“Being a part of a gaggle can by no means diminish particular person duty for our personal actions, for a way we deal with others or for talking up when somebody could also be in danger,” he mentioned.
