Darren Lyn
04 October 2026•Update: 04 October 2026
The president of the US’ Cornell University on Saturday addressed allegations that a woman was gang raped on campus in 2024, calling the claims “deeply disturbing.”
The case at the Ivy League university in upstate New York returned to the spotlight last week after the local district attorney announced that a criminal investigation was being reopened to determine whether charges are warranted.
The video statement by university President Michael Kotlikoff came nearly a week after the announcement and after the university issued written statements responding to the renewed investigation.
“What happened to ‘Jane Doe’ in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come,” Kotlikoff said, using the US term for a person whose identity is being withheld. “My heart aches when I think of what she experienced.”
He said the case raised “heartbreaking and troubling issues about sexual assault, dehumanization and aspects of party culture, alcohol and drug use” at the university.
“This has been one of the most difficult weeks in our history, and I know many of you are angry, saddened, and struggling,” he added.
- Civil suit filed over 2024 incident
The criminal investigation was reopened less than two weeks after Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit on Sept. 16 against seven men she alleges raped her. All were members of Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity, according to the lawsuit.
She told Cornell University Police about the alleged assault of Oct. 19-20, 2024, on that Nov. 8, according to New York television station WCBS.
“I can say with 100% confidence I was raped,” she said in an interview transcript cited by the station.
Local prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges at the time, with Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten saying there was “insufficient evidence.”
- New investigation with special prosecutor
Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York state, this week removed Van Houten from the case and appointed a special prosecutor to lead the reopened investigation.
Kotlikoff backed the decision and said the handling of the original allegations raised questions about how the case was investigated.
“We don’t have all the answers, but we are committed to investigating and finding the answers our community deserves,” he said.
“I believe we as an administration and we as a community must do better. We must do everything we can to prevent what happened to Jane Doe and everyone before her and anyone after her from ever happening again.”
As the case draws national attention, Kotlikoff said Cornell is reviewing its response to sexual assault and considering additional measures to improve campus safety.
“Where we can do better, we will. That is our responsibility and is one I take personally,” he said.
“This is a defining moment in Cornell’s history. We must lead the way. We owe it to Jane Doe and survivors of assault to get this right, and we must keep each other safe.”
