The alleged victim, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, is suing the men involved, the Chi Phi fraternity, Cornell University, an Ithaca bar and others for undisclosed damages. According to investigation records obtained by The New York Times, the woman told a police officer: "I can say with 100 per cent confidence I was raped." That statement was left out of an official police report sent to prosecutors, who ultimately dropped the case.
Cornell conducted its own investigation and issued sanctions, including expelling some students and suspending others. Kotlikoff said the school's board of trustees will announce details of an independent review later this week, and expressed support for New York Governor Kathy Hochul's decision to turn the criminal investigation over to the state attorney-general.
"At their best, these organisations can provide students with friendship, belonging, mentorship and a powerful sense of community," Kotlikoff said of fraternities and sororities. "But being part of a group can never diminish individual responsibility." He added: "I want to acknowledge something that can be difficult for an institution to say: We don't have all the answers, but we are committed to investigating and finding the answers our community deserves."
During a student assembly hearing on October 1, several speakers called for Kotlikoff's resignation. Governor Hochul declined to take a position on whether he should resign when asked at a press conference on October 2, saying she did not yet have enough information. The university's own review will examine the handling of the case and the role of Greek life on campus.