Cornell’s president called the alleged gang rape of a student in a fraternity house in 2024 “deeply disturbing” Saturday, said it would weigh on the university for years to come and promised greater transparency amid growing outrage over the school’s handling of the matter.
In an eight-minute video message to the Cornell community, Michael Kotlikoff described the past week as one of the most difficult in the university’s history and acknowledged troubling questions about the investigations that followed the allegations.
“My heart hurts when I think about what she went through,” Kotlikoff said. “It raises heartbreaking and disturbing questions about sexual assault, dehumanization and aspects of partisan culture, alcohol and drug use.”
Kotlikoff reaffirmed his commitment to supporting an independent review of Cornell’s handling of the matter, requested by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and said the school’s board of trustees would announce details next week. He also expressed support for Hochul’s decision to turn the criminal investigation over to the state attorney general.
“I want to acknowledge something that can be difficult for an institution to say,” Kotlikoff said. “We don’t have all the answers, but we are committed to investigating and finding the answers our community deserves. »
Scrutiny has intensified in recent days over Cornell’s response to allegations that the woman was sexually assaulted by several fraternity members in 2024. The woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, has sued the university and seven former students.
At a student assembly hearing Thursday that gave students an opportunity to voice concerns and discuss proposals to improve Cornell’s response to sexual assault, several speakers called for Kotlikoff’s resignation.
Hochul, asked at a news conference Friday whether she thought Kotlikoff should resign because of the university’s handling of the matter, declined to take a position, saying she did not yet have enough information.
Kotlikoff acknowledged his frustration with Cornell’s lack of communication, saying it led to distrust. While citing “real legal and privacy limits” on what the university can disclose, he promised greater transparency and more opportunities for students, parents and others to engage with university leaders.
He also pledged Cornell’s support for legislative efforts to change New York’s sexual assault laws.
The case renewed scrutiny of a state law that makes it difficult to prosecute sexual assaults involving people who voluntarily consume alcohol or drugs, even if they have become too intoxicated to consent.
Tompkins County Prosecutor Matthew Van Houten cited the law to defend his initial decision not to file charges, saying the woman’s original statement to police described voluntary drug use and sexual activity.
Critics have long sought to close what they call the “self-intoxication loophole,” which distinguishes between people incapacitated by drugs administered without their consent and those who voluntarily intoxicated themselves. Hochul pledged to push for changes to the law.
Kotlikoff also called for “serious examination of the role of fraternities and sororities in campus life,” saying Cornell would engage students, alumni and others in examining how to preserve the benefits of Greek life while increasing accountability and transparency.
“Being part of a group can never diminish individual responsibility for our own actions, for how we treat others or for speaking up when someone is in danger,” he said.
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