World · North America · 2 hrs ago
Cornell to review housing for student accused in fraternity rape case
A former Cornell student, identified in court papers as Jane Doe, accuses seven men of sexual assault during an alleged encounter at the Chi Phi fraternity house in 2024.
The men deny wrongdoing, and the case is a civil lawsuit; the local district attorney’s decision that no crime occurred has been revisited, and the investigation is now with New York’s attorney general.
One of the accused students returned to Cornell this fall after a three-semester suspension and was placed in a shared dorm room, according to a professor familiar with the arrangement.
The professor said the roommate learned of the allegations after Doe filed her lawsuit in September, and Cornell will review how the housing situation was handled.
The case has also raised questions about the university’s discipline and safety decisions, while faculty members are debating a possible no-confidence vote in Cornell’s president.
Separately, Diego Sarabia is seeking dismissal of the claims against him, but Doe’s lawyer says she will oppose the motion; a judge has not yet ruled.
Cornell faculty are set to begin voting on a no-confidence resolution over the university’s response to a woman’s report of a gang rape at a fraternity house.
Faculty members also questioned the handling of a disciplined student’s return to campus and his assignment to a shared dorm room with a roommate unaware of his disciplinary history.
The woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, alleges that seven Chi Phi fraternity members sexually assaulted or exploited her in October 2024.
All seven men deny the allegations, and no criminal charges have been filed.
- Who
- Cornell faculty and university President Michael Kotlikoff. The civil lawsuit was filed by a former student identified as Jane Doe.
- What
- Faculty are beginning an electronic vote on a proposed no-confidence resolution. They have also questioned the housing assignment of a disciplined student.
- When
- The faculty meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, 2026; voting is to remain open through November 6.
- Where
- Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
- Why
- Faculty members have expressed frustration with the university’s handling of Doe’s allegations and its response to sexual assault on campus.
Cornell faculty members critical of the administration
Michael Kotlikoff
Confidence in leadership
Cornell faculty members critical of the administration
Some faculty members said they had lost confidence in the administration’s ability to combat sexual assault on campus.
Michael Kotlikoff
Kotlikoff urged faculty to have confidence in his leadership and said experienced leadership was needed to address problems.
Handling of the case
Cornell faculty members critical of the administration
Faculty members criticized the university’s response to Doe’s allegations and questioned the handling of a disciplined student’s return to campus.
Michael Kotlikoff
Kotlikoff acknowledged some missteps, defended his leadership and said an independent investigation could lead to reforms.
Doe alleges seven Chi Phi fraternity members sexually assaulted or exploited her at the fraternity house.
Faculty members confronted Kotlikoff at a Faculty Senate meeting about the university’s handling of the allegations.
Cornell faculty were scheduled to conclude debate and begin voting on a proposed no-confidence resolution.
Electronic voting is scheduled to remain open, with individual votes anonymous.
- Defendants
- Seven Chi Phi fraternity members
- Incident period
- October 2024
- Lawsuit filed
- September 16, 2026
- Faculty vote deadline
- November 6, 2026
- Housing concern
- A disciplined student was assigned to a shared dorm room with a roommate unaware of his disciplinary history
4 sources
Date rape drug at center of Cornell sex assault allegations can leave victims unaware of surroundings
Cornell faculty to begin no-confidence vote over rape case
Cornell Jane Doe refuses to remove one of the seven men she claims gang-raped her from lawsuit after he said allegation was wildly overblown
What people are saying
I really reject the idea that I had no interest in it or was not concerned about it
Replacing a president would harm Cornell’s reputation