Investigation Requested Over Cornell University’s Response to Gang-Rape Allegations

Governor Kathy Hochul has called for an investigation into how Cornell University handled “horrifying” allegations of gang rape involving seven fraternity brothers. Meanwhile, the mayor of Ithaca is advocating to revoke city permits for the Ivy League school’s Greek life and other student activities.

“The allegations in the Cornell University sexual assault case are nothing short of horrifying,” Hochul stated on Tuesday.

Although she backs the local district attorney’s decision to reopen the criminal investigation, Hochul is also pushing for an independent examination of how the university responded to the situation. Her office, however, didn’t clarify who would carry out this investigation.

“For any student to come forward after an experience like this takes extraordinary courage. No student should ever be left wondering whether the institutions meant to protect them will listen and act,” she emphasized.

Hochul raised concerns about Cornell’s campus culture and its systems related to prevention, reporting, and response to such incidents.

Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo criticized the university’s handling of the accusations, describing it as “appalling.” He announced plans to prohibit the issuance of city permits for the Greek life and other student activities associated with Cornell.

In early November 2024, a 20-year-old Cornell student reported to campus police that she had been drugged and gang-raped by multiple members of the Chi Phi fraternity the previous week. Notably, the Ithaca Police Department was never notified.

The district attorney’s office had previously chosen not to pursue charges due to insufficient evidence. However, they recently decided to reopen the case after the woman filed a lawsuit earlier this month detailing her harrowing experience. Prosecutors mentioned they were unaware of the specific details at the time of their earlier decision.

According to the lawsuit, the university allowed the accused students to “mitigate their conduct by submitting essays to Cornell.” The university did not refute this claim but stated that some students faced internal disciplinary hearings and were either suspended or expelled. Still, they didn’t disclose how many were affected or the nature of the punishments handed down.

“Despite the gravity of these crimes, Cornell University administrators and police failed to coordinate any response with the Ithaca Police Department,” Cantelmo remarked. He termed the situation as “appalling” and “a miscarriage of justice.”

Acting on these concerns, he intends to implement a new policy directive that would place an immediate halt on all student events and special permits, including those for Greek life.

This policy will require approval from local council members, several of whom have indicated support for the measure to the Cornell Sun, the university’s student-run newspaper.

A university representative commented, stating that “Cornell shares the mayor’s interest in student well-being and safety,” affirming their intention to address his concerns cooperatively.