Cornell bans fraternity parties for the rest of the academic year amid investigation into alleged sexual assault

Cornell University said Tuesday it is suspending all “parties and social events” at fraternity houses for the rest of the academic year amid an uproar over a former student’s allegation that she was sexually assaulted by members of the campus Chi Phi chapter nearly two years ago. Michael I. Kotlikoff, Cornell’s president, also announced that the Ivy League institution would bring on “experienced, trauma-informed criminal investigators” to review allegations of sexual assault on campus. “These are first steps toward systemic change on our campus,” Kotlikoff said in a statement posted on Cornell’s website. “We will take all necessary steps to address the conditions that led to Jane Doe’s experiences, and those of other survivors.” The former student, identified in court documents by the pseudonym Jane Doe, alleges she was sexually assaulted and plied with drugs Oct.

19-20, 2024. She filed a civil lawsuit last month against multiple parties, including the university, the fraternity, her sorority, Tri Delta, and seven former Chi Phi members. Attorneys for four of the men have said their clients deny sexually assaulting Jane Doe or coercing her with drugs. The three other men have not responded to requests for comment. None of the seven has been criminally charged. The fraternity and the sorority previously declined to discuss the pending litigation. Jane Doe’s lawsuit put renewed scrutiny