A New York prosecutor has revived an investigation into allegations of gang rape involving a Cornell University fraternity. This action follows a lawsuit filed by a woman claiming sexual assault by seven students in 2024. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced that his office will present evidence to a grand jury. The case has raised public concern over previous lack of prosecutions.
Identified by a pseudonym in the lawsuit, the woman claims the assault occurred at the Chi Phi fraternity house after being given drugs and alcohol. Allegedly, she was incapacitated and assaulted by members of the fraternity.
The lawsuit and renewed investigation have spurred social media discussions. Criticism targets the school’s response and the district attorney’s office. Some users have shared photos of the accused fraternity members. The woman is seeking damages against the individuals, the fraternity, Cornell University, and others involved.
“Seeking justice sometimes requires reconsidering or reopening cases when new evidence emerges,” Van Houten stated.
Cornell’s Response
Cornell University expressed support for the investigation’s reopening. The school said it conducted its own investigation, resulting in student expulsions and suspensions, and the closure of the Chi Phi chapter on campus. Officials cited federal privacy law for not disclosing specific disciplinary actions.
The university denied claims of insufficient action, emphasizing the repercussions averted further risks to survivors. “Continuing a false narrative undermines the support for survivors and perpetuates underreporting of assaults,” Cornell stated.
The national Chi Phi organization did not respond to inquiries. Cornell’s internal review included hearings where both parties presented evidence.
Lawsuit Details
The lawsuit accuses Cornell of negligence in preventing assaults and addressing campus sexual violence. It presents evidence involving frat members allegedly discussing the assault.
The woman, a sorority member at the time, initially reported the incident three weeks later. The fraternity and accused members faced temporary suspensions then and were allegedly tasked with writing essays as mitigation, a claim denied by Cornell.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the existing “culture of rape” at elite institutions, calling for elimination of such spaces protecting offenders. She highlighted the incident as reflective of broader societal issues.
Ongoing Institutional Actions
Cornell launched a task force on campus sexual assault in 2025. Following recommendations from this group, the university implemented changes and additional measures are underway. A 2025 survey revealed that 35% of female undergraduates and 8% of male undergraduates reported experiencing sexual assault during their time at Cornell.
Since the lawsuit’s filing, the prosecutor’s office has received numerous communications from the public seeking clarity on the matter. “Community outrage is understandable given the limited information initially available,” said Van Houten.
Cornell Senior and Student Government President Eeshaan Chaudhuri called for a reassessment of both the university’s and district attorney’s initial actions. He also emphasized examining the fraternity’s underlying culture, acknowledging the complexity of addressing these systemic issues.
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