Ithaca Council Halts Permits for Cornell University Amid Controversy
Late Wednesday night, the Ithaca Common Council decided to temporarily stop issuing permits to Cornell University and associated student groups, which includes fraternities. This decision came after significant backlash regarding how the university has managed rape allegations brought forth by a former student.
After several hours of discussion, the council approved a moratorium with a vote of 9-1. This measure prevents Cornell from acquiring new permits for public gatherings, parades, and any special events that require noise permits, citing concerns for public safety.
The resolution received backing from many students at Cornell and local residents; however, some graduate students voiced apprehension about the sweeping nature of the restrictions, arguing that they might interfere with activities not related to Greek life.
One graduate student warned that the moratorium might lead to cancellations or delays of events, potential financial losses from deposits, and reduced accessibility to venues, which could ultimately disrupt conferences and activities.
The moratorium is set to remain effective until November 5, unless the council decides to extend it later on. An amendment within the measure also mandates that Cornell refer inquiries involving sexual and violent crimes to the Ithaca Police Department, though there are uncertainties around how this will be enforced.
This action follows a lawsuit filed by Jane Doe, who accused seven former Chi Phi fraternity members of drugging and raping her on October 19, 2024. The lawsuit details that she arrived at the fraternity house intoxicated and was pressured into ingesting ketamine and other drugs. The accused deny the allegations, with some claiming any sexual activity was consensual and others denying participation altogether.
The fraternity involved had its operations suspended on November 8, 2024, the same day Doe reported her allegations to the campus police. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten initially chose not to pursue legal action, citing that Doe’s sworn statement did not claim she was drugged or assaulted against her will, although he did not possess the complete transcript of interviews conducted by Cornell Police.
Recently released information seemed to clash with earlier claims, prompting Van Houten to reopen the case after admitting that the allegations in Doe’s lawsuit diverged from her previous statements nearly two years ago. Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to oversee the situation, criticizing earlier investigative efforts.
Jane Doe’s lawyer stated that Cornell police had led her to believe the criminal inquiry was ongoing, despite the DA’s decision against pursuing charges shortly after they began their investigation. Governor Hochul expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the case, indicating that confidence in the District Attorney’s capabilities had eroded.
Now, one of the men named in the lawsuit has filed a motion to have Attorney General James removed from the case, asserting she is biased due to a previous social media post in which she condemned the alleged actions against Doe.
