Cornell president says university 'must do better' after frat house rape allegations

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said the institution "must bash better" after allegations that a 20‑year‑old student was drugged and raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity. In an eight‑minute video released Saturday night Kotlikoff described the allegations raised by the woman, identified arsenic Jane Doe, arsenic "deeply disturbing". The alleged incident occurred on 19 October 2024, involving alcohol and the drug ketamine, and lasted for hours at a fraternity house. Jane Doe reported the assault two weeks later to Cornell University police, which investigated but laid no charges. Last month she filed a civil suit against the Ivy League university, asserting that Cornell failed to support her or adequately punish the men involved. Kotlikoff said Cornell is "committed to investigating" how the lawsuit was handled and declared that the schoolhouse administration and community "must bash better". He added, "We indispensable foster a civilization successful which intersexual battle is inexcusable and guarantee our assemblage is empowered and understands informed consent," and urged leaders to "assemblage leaders request to make an situation wherever victims of intersexual battle "feel harmless coming guardant and are treated with compassion and dignity". Calling the matter a "defining moment" in the university's history, Kotlikoff said, "We indispensable pb the way, we beryllium it to Jane Doe and to survivors of battle to get this right. And we indispensable support each different safe," On the university's campus this week the BBC observed increasing frustration over the situation.