University officials announced an independent review of Cornell University’s handling of sexual misconduct complaints. Former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates will lead the examination. Her role includes assessing Cornell’s policies and practices related to sexual harassment and assault on campus. This decision follows allegations of a rape at a fraternity house in 2024.
The review will consider how reports of misconduct are managed and the support given to students. It will also evaluate disciplinary actions and the involvement of campus police. University trustee Anne Meinig Smalling highlighted Yates’s experience and independence as crucial to the investigation. Smalling emphasized the need for a thorough examination not only of the response to the Jane Doe case but also of how the university addresses sexual misconduct as a whole. The aim is to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
Sally Yates brings outstanding experience, independence, and judgment to this examination,” Smalling stated. “The questions in the Jane Doe case demand rigorous scrutiny, but our duty is comprehensive. We have tasked Ms. Yates and her team with assessing Cornell’s overall approach to sexual misconduct, pinpointing areas for improvement, and suggesting changes to enhance our community’s safety.
This review coincides with Cornell University police receiving an anonymous tip. The tip alleged that Chi Phi fraternity leaders urged silence from a potential witness to protect reputations. Investigations into a potential cover-up by fraternity members followed.
Protests erupted at the university following dissatisfaction with the institution’s handling of the investigation. The alleged assault involved several fraternity brothers, with one reportedly messaging others to participate, amplifying discussions about violence against women on campuses. Public figures, including actresses Florence Pugh and Mariska Hargitay, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, addressed the issue.
When I read about what happened at Cornell, those men posted in a group chat,” Ocasio-Cortez remarked recently. “That means it was normal to them. We cannot protect those spaces anymore. Never again.
The review by Yates will also cover the university’s response to the allegations involving Jane Doe. Smalling noted the need for Cornell to scrutinize itself with the rigor expected of others. The goal is to lead in preventing sexual violence and supporting individuals who come forward.
Cornell has urged Yates to complete her review promptly and comprehensively.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Democratic state Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor for a criminal investigation of the allegations. This move follows new information questioning the initial case handling. Governor Hochul expressed dissatisfaction with Tompkins County Attorney Matthew Van Houten’s oversight, citing New York’s voluntary intoxication loophole as a concern.
At the heart of all this is one young woman and what she deserved from the very beginning,” Hochul stated. “Every parent expects their child to be safe at college. If something terrible happens, the student deserves to know they will be listened to, protected, and advocated for. That is the bare minimum. This brave young woman deserved that in 2024 and she deserves it now.
President Donald Trump criticized Hochul’s decision to appoint James, citing her previous cases against him.
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