Cornell University has decided to suspend events held by fraternities until at least the end of the 2026/2027 academic year. This measure was taken in response to a report of group sexual assault that occurred in 2024.
The decision, communicated on Tuesday, is subject to extension until 2027, depending on future evaluations. The statement issued by the university president, Michael Kotlikoff, also reported that the incident is under investigation by the New York State police.
Effective immediately, a zero-tolerance policy will be implemented for any violation of the rules. This means that any fraternity hosting an event may be suspended.
Kotlikoff stated that such actions will allow for a detailed analysis of life within Cornell's fraternities, aiming to determine if and how these activities can proceed safely.
The institution has more than twenty fraternities. When questioned by the Associated Press, the university did not provide additional details about these zero-tolerance rules, nor did it clarify whether the ban covers incidents that occurred off-campus.
This is not the first time Cornell has restricted fraternity parties. In 2022, the university had temporarily suspended all social events following reports of sexual assaults and students under the influence of drugs in residences associated with these groups.
In 2019, three years prior, a freshman named Antonio Tsialas was found dead in a ravine after an alleged incident during an academic reception ceremony. The previous year, members of a fraternity competed to elect someone who had had sexual relations with overweight women.
In the statement released on Tuesday, the university president expressed deep regret for the suffering of Jane Doe, a fictional name used in the case, in 2024. Kotlikoff declared himself dismayed by the act of sexual violence that occurred in the Cornell community, emphasizing that women on campus continue to question their safety, and that failures must be acknowledged and important measures adopted.
It should be noted that earlier this month, it was announced that the New York Attorney General would take over a special investigation into the alleged violation at Cornell University, due to the revelation that campus police omitted part of the victim's testimony.
The incident in question occurred on the night of October 19th to 20th, 2024, during a Chi Phi fraternity party. The young woman had consumed alcohol and, according to her account, was coerced into taking ketamine intranasally.
The victim alleges that, under the influence of alcohol and anesthetic, she was sexually assaulted by seven students over several hours. The young woman's lawyers argue that she took several days to process what happened before reporting the facts to Cornell University police.
According to Hochul, part of this testimony was omitted in the handling of the case. The university expressed its support for forwarding the case to court and refuted accusations that the students involved would not be punished.
Cornell informed that two of the students were expelled and that the penalties imposed were never limited to writing an essay, as had been reported. Four of the seven students admitted to having sexual relations with the young woman but claimed they were consensual. The other three denied participating in the alleged acts.