Cornell President Admits Months-Long Delay in Addressing Alleged Gang-Rape

None of the accused men face criminal charges; all deny wrongdoing.

Cornell President Kotlikoff stated, "The fact that Jane Doe experienced what she experienced at Cornell is something that I am personally sorry for. And I think this entire campus is sorry that occurred."

He further acknowledged, "I’ve heard enough from the community that there is a loss of trust. People are angry. I understand that anger."

The Cornell faculty senate plans to vote on a no-confidence resolution against school administrators, including President Kotlikoff, following these revelations.

Some faculty members believe individuals who report sexual misconduct face institutional barriers and fear retaliation.

Ariana Kim, an associate music professor at Cornell and co-sponsor of the resolution, has spoken out about her own experiences with bullying and sexual harassment on campus.

Kim believes reporting misconduct later affected her tenure review. She recognized that publicly criticizing university leaders could again jeopardize her career.

Kotlikoff reportedly did not know until recently that the woman had dropped out of Cornell or that students had been expelled or suspended over the incident.

He publicly addressed allegations involving drug use and sexual violence at the Chi Phi fraternity house in a November 2024 message, stating that criminal and university investigations were underway.

Kotlikoff subsequently convened a presidential task force to examine how Cornell handles sexual assault claims.

Anne Marie Brady, a senior extension associate at Cornell and co-sponsor of the resolution, questioned the independence of Cornell University Police in investigating serious allegations.

Brady also questioned the timing of Kotlikoff’s announcement about state police involvement, calling it disingenuous.

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten reopened the criminal investigation after the lawsuit was filed. New York Governor Kathy Hochul reassigned the case to state Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor.

Cornell University has banned fraternity parties for the rest of the year and will add sexual assault investigators to its campus police force.

The university also appointed former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an independent probe into how the university handles sexual assault claims.

Two of the accused men, Umar Matthew Ingalls and Jonathan Newell, were reportedly expelled after the school's Title IX investigation.

Cornell University stated that any suggestion it did not impose consequential punishments for those involved is false.

Cornell University indicated that A continuation of the false narrative regarding minimal consequences in this case is irresponsible. It will make survivors feel less safe and supported, and will perpetuate the underreporting of sexual assault.

The university further claimed that a continuation of the false narrative regarding minimal consequences in this case is irresponsible. It will make survivors feel less safe and supported, and will perpetuate the underreporting of sexual assault.