Cornell University announced on Tuesday that it is suspending all fraternity social events for the remainder of the academic year, citing a need to enhance campus safety. The decision follows intense scrutiny and public backlash regarding the university’s response to an alleged gang rape involving Chi Phi fraternity members in 2024.
University President Michael I. Kotlikoff informed the campus community in a letter that the ban takes effect immediately. He outlined a broader strategy to improve how the institution handles sexual assault claims, emphasizing that these measures cannot await the completion of an ongoing independent review.
The policy shift arrives approximately one month after a woman identified as Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit against Cornell, the Chi Phi fraternity, and seven individual members. Doe alleges she was sexually assaulted by fraternity members in 2024, a case that has drawn national attention and sparked protests on campus. Demonstrators have demanded administrative accountability and called for stricter regulations on Greek life.
In his address, Kotlikoff acknowledged the community’s distress, stating, “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.” He added that the university recognizes women on campus continue to question their safety and pledged to take meaningful action.
As part of the new protocol, Cornell will cooperate with the New York State Police, allowing them to independently investigate sexual assault allegations. Investigators will interview survivors who choose to pursue criminal charges and prepare comprehensive summaries for law enforcement. This collaboration runs parallel to an independent review led by former U.S. Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, which was commissioned earlier this month by the Board of Trustees.
Kotlikoff declared a zero-tolerance policy for any violations of the new party ban. Fraternities found hosting in-house parties or social events will face immediate emergency suspension. He noted that the Chi Phi chapter was already closed in 2024 and remains barred from campus.
Additional measures include expanding staff at the Cornell Office of Civil Rights to better support survivors and launching initiatives aimed at shifting the university’s social culture. These efforts include enhancing educational programming to address bystander behavior. Kotlikoff described these actions as “first steps toward systemic change,” asserting that Cornell must become a place where safety is never in doubt.
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