Cornell University Suspends Fraternity Parties Following Jane Doe Lawsuit

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff announced a total suspension of parties and social events at all Interfraternity Council houses through to the end of the 2026-27 academic year. The decision comes amid escalating backlash regarding the Ivy League institution’s handling of an alleged gang rape on campus in 2024.

The university has also introduced a zero-tolerance policy that will trigger immediate emergency suspensions for any fraternity chapter violating the ban. 

In an open letter addressed to the campus community, Kotlikoff expressed remorse over the incident and acknowledged ongoing concerns regarding student safety:

"I am deeply sorry for the harm Jane Doe suffered in 2024, and appalled that this act of sexual violence occurred within our Cornell community. It is clear that women on our campus continue to question whether they are safe. We must meet this moment by acknowledging where we have fallen short and taking meaningful action.”

The policy changes follow a civil lawsuit filed in September by a former student identified as Jane Doe. The suit alleges that she was given drugs and alcohol until incapacitated before being sexually assaulted by multiple men at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. The filing also claims fraternity members circulated Snapchat messages advertising her availability. The seven men named in the civil action have denied the allegations, maintaining the interactions were either consensual or that they were not involved.

In response to criticism over internal reporting mechanisms and university oversight, Cornell is overhauling how sexual assault claims are investigated:

• State Police: New York State Police trauma-informed criminal investigators will take over investigating reported campus sexual assaults. Previously, investigations were handled by the university’s internal campus police department.
• Support Staff: The university is expanding its Office of Civil Rights by adding victim advocates and a dedicated case manager to guide survivors through support systems and reporting procedures.
• External Review: National sexual violence prevention experts and former Deputy U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates have been brought in to evaluate campus culture and conduct an independent review of Cornell's response.

The handling of the original 2024 investigation drew scrutiny after local prosecutors initially declined to pursue criminal charges. New York Governor Kathy Hochul subsequently removed the local district attorney from the case, appointing New York Attorney General Letitia James to lead the criminal investigation.

Responding to the administrative announcement, Thomas Giuffra, an attorney representing Jane Doe, remarked:

"While the steps announced today are helpful to achieve this goal, they are too late to protect Ms Doe."

The policy update arrived just ahead of a scheduled vote by Cornell's Faculty Senate on a proposed resolution expressing no confidence in the university administration's leadership. Paul Ortiz, a Cornell labor history professor and primary sponsor of the resolution, welcomed the safety measures but expressed concern over their timing:

“That the administration is only acting the day before they might be held accountable in the faculty senate is deeply troubling.”

“The key point to understand is that scores of students, staff, faculty and alumni have approached the sponsors of the resolution to emphasize to us that the Jane Doe case is but the tip of the iceberg...These women testify that they were frightened to report assaults because they felt that Cornell has at times treated rape as more of a ‘PR problem’ than a heinous crime.”

Defense attorneys representing the accused men criticized the broad fraternity party ban. Andrew Miltenberg, a lawyer for one of the defendants, argued in a statement:

“Greek life has become the convenient target…Changing the address doesn’t change the behavior.”

The temporary halt on fraternity parties follows similar actions in 2019 and 2022 following alcohol, hazing, and sexual misconduct allegations at the Ithaca, New York campus. Kotlikoff stated that the university will work to establish safe social alternatives for students while conducting a comprehensive review of Greek life policies.