State police to investigate assault claims during Yates-led review
Cornell University on Tuesday suspended parties at all fraternity houses on campus for the rest of the academic year, announcing the action as the controversy continued at the Ivy League school over a former student’s rape allegations.
In a statement Tuesday, President Michael Kotlikoff said the university would also hire additional support staff and assign the New York State Police to investigate sexual assault claims on campus for the duration of an independent review of Cornell’s policies. That review, announced earlier, will be led by former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates.
“These measures will provide time for a thorough review of fraternity life at Cornell to determine whether and how it can safely continue,” Kotlikoff said.
The suspension follows the filing of a civil lawsuit by a former student, identified in court filings as Jane Doe, alleging she was sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024.
Anger has erupted at Cornell and on other campuses since the lawsuit was filed.