Cornell bans fraternity parties as rape allegations deepen campus scrutiny

The case centers on a former student's allegation that she was drugged and raped by seven fraternity members in October 2024, according to Le Monde. NRK reported that the former student has sued a fraternity.

The controversy concerns both the alleged assault and how authorities responded. Le Monde reported that Cornell and prosecutors faced criticism because no charges had been brought against the alleged perpetrators in 2024.

On October 13, president Michael Kotlikoff announced that Cornell would suspend fraternity parties and events for the remainder of the 2026-27 academic year, according to CBC News. The restrictions cover parties and other social events at Interfraternity Council houses, Global News reported.

Cornell also announced changes to how sexual assault allegations would be investigated. Associated Press reported that New York State Police would be given a role in investigating sex crimes on campus. The Hill reported that trained sexual assault investigators would be added to the university's police staff.

A separate review will examine Cornell's own response. Euronews reported on October 13 that the university had appointed former US Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to conduct a comprehensive independent review of its handling of the rape allegations.

In his letter to the campus community, Kotlikoff apologized for what happened to the student and promised meaningful action, according to NPR News. The BBC quoted him saying: "It is clear that women on our campus continue to question whether they are safe."

On October 14, The Independent reported that Kotlikoff acknowledged learning about the alleged gang rape months earlier but would not resign. The same day, ABCNews.com reported that the faculty senate would begin deliberating a no-confidence resolution condemning Cornell's response to sexual violence on campus.

The party ban runs through the end of the 2026-27 academic year. Fraternities that violate the restrictions face immediate emergency suspensions, according to Al Jazeera.

The measures address different parts of the controversy: restrictions on fraternity social events, additional capacity to investigate sexual assault, and an independent examination of the university's response. The alleged rape remains an allegation, and the coverage provided does not report a new charging decision.

The next immediate development is the faculty senate's deliberation on the no-confidence resolution reported by ABCNews.com. The coverage does not give an outcome for that debate.

The independent review led by Sally Yates is another pending step. Euronews identifies its scope as Cornell's response to the allegations, but the coverage provided gives no deadline for findings.