Michael Kotlikoff, the president of Cornell University, has publicly acknowledged for the first time that he was aware of a student's report of sexual assault in November 2024 but failed to follow up with the involved student, known as Jane Doe. This admission comes amid increasing scrutiny and calls for his resignation following a civil lawsuit filed by Jane Doe last month.
Acknowledgment of Oversight
In an interview with the New York Times, Kotlikoff expressed regret over the situation, stating,
“"The fact that Jane Doe experienced what she experienced at Cornell is something that I am personally sorry for. And I think this entire campus is sorry that occurred."
He recognized the community's anger and loss of trust, saying,
“"I’ve heard enough from the community that there is a loss of trust. People are angry. I understand that anger."
Details of the Allegations
Jane Doe's lawsuit accuses seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity of sexually assaulting her during a party at their fraternity house on campus in October 2024. All accused individuals have denied any wrongdoing, and none have faced criminal charges. The incident was reported to the Cornell University police department in November 2024.
Following an internal investigation, two fraternity members were expelled, two were suspended, and another, who had already graduated, was barred from campus. The remaining individuals received lighter sanctions, including no-contact orders with Jane Doe and the requirement to write reflection papers. The Tompkins County District Attorney initially declined to file charges, citing insufficient evidence, but has since indicated a willingness to reopen the investigation.
