Cornell’s president referred to as the alleged gang rape of a pupil at a fraternity home in 2024 “deeply disturbing” Saturday, stated it might weigh on the college for years to come back and pledged larger transparency amid mounting outrage over the college’s dealing with of the case.
In an eight-minute video message to the Cornell group, Michael Kotlikoff described the previous week as some of the tough within the college’s historical past and acknowledged troubling questions in regards to the investigations that adopted the allegations.
“My coronary heart aches after I consider what she skilled,” Kotlikoff stated. “It raises heartbreaking and troubling points about sexual assault, dehumanization and elements of occasion tradition, alcohol and drug use.”
Kotlikoff reaffirmed his dedication to supporting an unbiased overview of Cornell’s dealing with of the case referred to as for by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and stated the college’s Board of Trustees would announce particulars subsequent week. He additionally expressed assist for Hochul’s resolution to show the felony investigation over to the state lawyer common.
Associated Movies
“I wish to acknowledge one thing that may be tough for an establishment to say,” Kotlikoff stated. “We don’t have all of the solutions, however we’re dedicated to investigating and discovering the solutions our group deserves.”
Get every day Nationwide information
Get every day Canada information delivered to your inbox so you may by no means miss the day’s prime tales.
Scrutiny has mounted in latest days over Cornell’s response to allegations that the lady was sexually assaulted by a number of fraternity members in 2024. The lady, recognized in courtroom 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 possibility to voice issues and talk about 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 larger transparency and extra alternatives for college students, dad and mom and others to interact with college leaders.
He additionally dedicated Cornell’s assist to legislative efforts to alter 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 medication, even when they grew to become too intoxicated to consent.
Tompkins County District Legal professional Matthew Van Houten cited the legislation in defending his preliminary resolution to not pursue prices, saying the lady’s unique assertion to police described voluntary drug use and sexual exercise.
Critics have lengthy sought to shut what they name the “voluntary intoxication loophole,” which distinguishes between individuals incapacitated by medication administered with out their consent and those that voluntarily grew to become intoxicated. Hochul has pledged to push for modifications to the legislation.
Kotlikoff additionally referred to as for a “critical take a look at the position of fraternities and sororities in campus life,” saying Cornell would interact college students, alumni and others in inspecting the right way to protect the advantages of Greek life whereas strengthening accountability and transparency.
“Being a part of a bunch 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 stated.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
