Cornell Case Faces Reviews as Prosecutors Weigh Charges

A former Cornell student, identified in a civil lawsuit as Jane Doe, alleges that seven Chi Phi fraternity members drugged and sexually assaulted her at the fraternity’s Ithaca house in October 2024 and that Cornell failed to protect her or respond adequately. Tompkins County prosecutors have reopened the criminal investigation and may present evidence to a grand jury; none of the men has been criminally charged, and the allegations remain unproven. The district attorney says Doe’s sworn 2024 account described the drug use and sexual activity as voluntary and did not allege drugging or assault, a characterization her attorney disputes. Cornell says its disciplinary process resulted in expulsions and suspensions, and the university has agreed to an independent review of whether it met its obligations to protect students, secured by Gov. Kathy Hochul. New York’s attorney general is also reviewing Cornell’s initial response, amid debate over state law and how colleges handle sexual-assault reports.