A woman alleging that several Cornell students raped her during a fraternity party has expressed disappointment over comments made by the university’s president, who she claims questioned her reasons for delaying the report of the assault. This left her feeling “unsupported and disbelieved.”
The woman’s account, which was relayed in a letter to faculty leaders last week, is currently being disputed by the university. The Associated Press confirmed the authenticity of the letter through her lawyer. Tensions have escalated among faculty members as they consider a potential vote of no confidence regarding the leadership at the Ivy League institution.
This former student, identified only as Jane Doe in a lawsuit filed last month, has ignited protests on campus, intensified scrutiny of Cornell’s disciplinary procedures, and prompted the reopening of a criminal investigation into the alleged incident from October 2024.
In her letter, Jane Doe stated that her sorority president conveyed to her that President Michael Kotlikoff questioned why she didn’t report the assault until the following month. The sorority president interpreted Kotlikoff’s comments as casting doubt on Jane Doe’s story.
According to Jane Doe’s letter, Kotlikoff’s initial response was something along the lines of, “Why did she wait so long to report it?” This exchange diminished her confidence that the university would address the situation with the expected sensitivity and fairness.
However, the dean of faculty at Cornell provided an alternative version of events. In an email to faculty senators, Chris Schaffer stated that an official present during the conversation recalled Kotlikoff asking why no bystanders had reported the alleged incident earlier, especially since it had already been discussed on social media.
Schaffer mentioned he waited to share Jane Doe’s letter until he could gather another perspective on the conversation. He forwarded her letter to the university’s legal team, which passed it along to an independent group probing Cornell’s handling of the situation.
At a recent faculty meeting, Schaffer opposed the proposed no-confidence motion, suggesting it failed to identify specific issues or solutions, while still acknowledging the valid frustrations within the faculty. “The anger in our community is justified and I share it,” he stated.
President Kotlikoff has not responded to inquiries concerning Jane Doe’s letter, while a university spokesperson characterized her account as misrepresenting the conversation, asserting that Kotlikoff’s inquiries pertained to bystanders’ actions and not Jane Doe herself.
Faculty discuss no-confidence motion
Jane Doe’s letter, which was shared with the Faculty Senate via her legal counsel, has been reported by several outlets amidst ongoing discussions about a resolution expressing no confidence in the university administration’s capability to manage what faculty members describe as a persistent crisis related to sexual assault on campus.
The faculty began deliberating on this resolution during a meeting last Wednesday, where Kotlikoff was subjected to pointed queries regarding the university’s response to sexual assault claims and its regulation of fraternities. A further discussion is planned for October 28, after which an electronic vote will take place.
In her letter, Jane Doe emphasized that she was not attempting to dictate how faculty members should interpret the situation but wished to ensure they had pertinent information for their deliberations.
Anthropology professor Noah Tamarkin, a co-sponsor of the no-confidence resolution, remarked on Tuesday that he was still processing Jane Doe’s letter, but it only reinforced his belief that significant changes are necessary for Cornell to regain trust within the community.
He highlighted Jane Doe’s description of how the conversation affected her, pointing out the apparent absence of a straightforward avenue for her to express her concerns or seek support.
On the same day, Sally Yates, a former Justice Department official spearheading Cornell’s independent investigation, communicated to the university community the broad scope of her review, which includes examining the university’s sexual harassment and assault prevention strategies, campus police engagement, and fraternity oversight.
“We recognize that some may doubt our independence — I assure you that our autonomy is not merely a formality,” Yates stated, adding that the university has committed full support and resources for a comprehensive review.
“Our aim is to follow the facts wherever they lead with clarity and integrity, so that both this community and the public can trust the legitimacy of our findings,” Yates concluded.
If you or someone you know is affected by any issues addressed in this story, please reach out to the Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673).
