Cornell president admits he never followed up on gang rape allegation against own students and will not resign
The seven Cornell University Chi Phi fraternity members — Matthew Ingalls, Diego Sarabia, Winston Lee, Scott Kretzschmar, Scott Norris, Gillio Lopes and Johnathan Newell — accused of drugging and gang-raping a fellow…Cornell University's campus in Ithaca, New York. Cornell president Michael Kotlikoff has banned all fraternity parties and social gatherings at Interfraternity Council houses until the close of the 2026-27 academic year.
Michael Kotlikoff, president of Cornell University, has admitted he learned in 2024 that a student had reported being gang raped at a Chi Phi fraternity house, yet never followed up to find out whether the accused students faced disciplinary action — and did not know the victim had withdrawn from the university until she filed a civil lawsuit last month. Despite pressure to step down, he has refused to do so, saying 'people are angry — I understand that anger.' Cornell has since banned fraternity parties for the rest of the academic year and pledged to bring in state police to conduct sexual assault investigations.
Of 16 Cornell students found to have committed sexual assaults in recent years, only two were expelled — seven others received nothing harsher than essay assignments or mandatory study programme requirements.
The day after Kotlikoff's interview was published, the Faculty Senate was weighing a no-confidence resolution against his administration.
Jane Doe's lawyer says his client has turned down all GoFundMe donations, calling her 'awfully humble' throughout the ordeal.
