Cornell University's handling of sexual assault cases came under scrutiny during a faculty senate meeting on Wednesday. A former student, known anonymously as Jane Doe, has alleged that she was gang-raped at a fraternity house and expressed feeling "unsupported and disbelieved" by the university president, Michael Kotlikoff.
Allegations Against President Kotlikoff
In a letter addressed to the faculty, Doe accused Kotlikoff of questioning her decision to wait several weeks before reporting the incident. The university, located in upstate New York, has stated that her account of Kotlikoff's reaction is "incorrect." This letter comes as the faculty prepares for a rare vote on Kotlikoff's leadership later this month.
Doe filed a lawsuit last month, claiming she was raped by several men during a Chi Phi fraternity party in October 2024. All seven former fraternity members named in the lawsuit have denied any wrongdoing. To date, none have been charged with a crime.
Investigation and Response
Doe reported the alleged assault to campus police on November 8, approximately three weeks after the fraternity party. Although the local prosecutor initially declined to bring charges, the case has since been reopened. In response to Doe's allegations, Cornell announced an internal investigation and a civil rights inquiry.
In her letter, dated October 14, Doe recounted receiving a "second-hand account" of Kotlikoff's reaction, stating that his "initial response" was along the lines of, "Why did she wait so long to report it?" She noted that Kotlikoff had spoken with the then-president of her sorority, and at least one staff member present appeared distressed by the question.
