A former high-ranking Department of Justice official will look at how Cornell handles sexual misconduct complaints, university trustees announced Tuesday (October 6, 2026) as they tried to address an outpouring of anger over allegations of a 2024 gang rape at a fraternity house.
She told campus police in November 2024 that she had been sexually assaulted by multiple Chi Phi fraternity brothers the month before after being pressured into drinking and taking drugs. The investigation concluded in 2022 with a finding of systemic abuse. The assessment is to include how the Ivy League university investigates reports of sexual assault and sexual harassment, how the disciplinary process works, campus police responses and more. The announcement comes after days of outrage and a large demonstration over Cornell’s response to a complaint from a woman known publicly only as Jane Doe. Lawyers for two of the former students denied they participated in a sexual assault. Attempts by The Associated Press to reach the other men or their representatives have been unsuccessful. Court records show that during an investigation that Cornell conducted under the federal Title IX law, some of the accused students contended that the sexual activity was consensual. The lawsuit put a new, nationwide spotlight on the allegations and how the campus police, university and local prosecutor had reacted. New York’s attorney general is now conducting a criminal investigation, and the state’s governor called for an independent review of Cornell’s handling of the matter — the review that Ms. Yates now will lead. She led a high-profile inquiry into alleged abuse and misconduct, including claims of harassment and coercion, at the National Women’s Soccer League.
Sally Yates, who was a deputy attorney general in the Obama administration, will spearhead the review, the trustees said.
