Cornell University announced this Tuesday that it prohibits all parties organized by fraternities for the remainder of the academic year, as part of a package of measures to strengthen campus safety, following the scandal generated by the investigation of a report of multiple rape in 2024 that was allegedly manipulated by the university police itself.
The rector, Michael Kotlikoff, explained in a statement that the restriction applies to any party or social event held at the locations integrated into the Cornell Interfraternity Council and warned that any fraternity that ignores the order risks an "immediate emergency suspension."
"It is clear that the women on our campus continue to wonder if they are safe. We must confront this situation by acknowledging where we have failed and taking meaningful action," he noted in a statement emphasizing that the new initiatives, which include more support for victims of sexual assault, "are the first steps toward systemic change on our campus."
Kotlikoff added that the institution will take "all necessary measures to address the circumstances that led to the experiences of Jane Doe and those of other survivors," detailing a proposal aimed at accelerating the implementation of the recommendations issued in March by a Cornell task force on sexual assault.
Among those proposals are improvements to the university's communication channels, the way to respond to reports of sexual assault, strengthening safe transportation services, and expanding courses that "increase competence and understanding regarding sexuality," according to information released by the U.S. agency Bloomberg.
Last week, the rector tasked former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates with an independent review of the institution's policies to prevent sexual abuse, following the report of the gang rape suffered by a former student identified by the pseudonym "Jane Doe" at a campus fraternity in 2024, a case currently being handled by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The events took place on the night of October 19 to 20, 2024, at the Chi Phi fraternity, where the young woman ingested alcohol and was pressured to consume ketamine. Subsequently, while under the effects of the drink and the anesthetic, she was raped for hours by seven students, according to her testimony. Four of them have admitted that they had sexual relations with Jane Doe, although they claim that they were consensual, while the other three deny having participated.