Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Cornell Students Demand Accountability After Sexual Assault Allegations
A lawsuit says members of a Cornell fraternity sexually assaulted a woman in 2024.
The lawsuit says she became too incapacitated to consent.
The accused men denied wrongdoing, according to documents cited by The New York Times.
Cornell says it investigated and punished students, but it cannot share all details because of privacy laws.
The university also barred the Chi Phi fraternity from campus.
Some students say they want clearer answers and better protection.
Their Student Assembly approved a request for more information and reports about future cases.
A university survey found that more undergraduate women reported nonconsensual sexual contact in 2025 than in 2021.
Students have also planned a rally calling for more protections.
A civil lawsuit alleges Chi Phi members sexually assaulted a woman in 2024 after she became incapacitated.
Cornell says it investigated the case, barred Chi Phi from campus, and imposed disciplinary measures, including expulsions.
Students at a public hearing criticized Cornell’s communication and said they felt unsafe on campus.
The Student Assembly unanimously called for an account of the investigation, disclosure of disciplinary measures, and annual reports on future cases.
A 2025 Cornell survey found 35% of undergraduate women reported nonconsensual sexual contact involving force or incapacitation, up from 20% in 2021.
- Who
- Cornell University students, university administrators, and members of the Chi Phi fraternity are involved in the response to allegations in a civil lawsuit.
- What
- Students are demanding accountability and more information about Cornell’s handling of a sexual assault case.
- When
- The alleged assault occurred in 2024; the public hearing took place Thursday, days after the lawsuit and reopening of the criminal investigation became public.
- Where
- Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
- Why
- Students are seeking transparency and stronger protections after the allegations and concerns about campus safety.
Student Critics
Cornell University
Transparency
Student Critics
Students say university leadership has provided insufficient communication and want a full account of the investigation and disclosure of disciplinary measures.
Cornell University
Cornell says privacy laws restrict what it can disclose about individual students and disciplinary outcomes.
Investigation and discipline
Student Critics
The lawsuit alleges Cornell inadequately punished some accused students and allowed some to seek reduced penalties by writing essays.
Cornell University
Cornell says it imposed a range of disciplinary measures and denies that essays were the only punishment.
Campus safety and complaint processes
Student Critics
Students said they felt unsafe, and one student described paperwork, limited guidance, and no follow-up after reporting an assault.
Cornell University
Cornell says it investigated the case, barred Chi Phi from campus, and says its privacy-law compliance should not be read as indifference.
- Allegation
- The lawsuit alleges Chi Phi members supplied a woman with alcohol, marijuana, and ketamine before sexually assaulting her after she became incapacitated.
- Cornell's response
- Cornell says it conducted a comprehensive investigation, barred Chi Phi from campus, and imposed disciplinary measures, including expulsions.
- Assembly resolution
- The Student Assembly unanimously requested a full account of the investigation, disclosure of disciplinary measures, and annual reports on future sexual-misconduct cases.
- Survey findings
- In a 2025 survey, 35% of undergraduate women reported nonconsensual sexual contact involving force or incapacitation since entering Cornell.
- Earlier survey
- The comparable figure in Cornell's 2021 survey was 20%.
- Criminal investigation
- The criminal investigation was announced as reopened, and New York state officials appointed a special prosecutor.
- Student action
- Cornell students scheduled a Monday rally calling for additional measures to protect victims.
