Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said Saturday that the institution "must do better" as it faces questions over its response to sexual assault allegations involving seven former fraternity brothers."What happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come.My heart aches when I think of what she experienced," Kotlikoff said in a video statement to the Cornell community.Kotlikoff said the case raises questions about sexual assault, campus party culture, alcohol and drug abuse on the Ithaca, New York, campus, as well as the investigation conducted after the allegations were reported."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.
I believe we as an administration, and we as a community must do better," Kotlikoff said.INSIDE EXPLOSIVE CORNELL RAPE ALLEGATIONS: 7 MEN ACCUSED, CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS AND A POLITICAL FIRESTORMKotlikoff said the case raises questions about sexual assault and campus party culture.(Matt Burkhartt/Getty Images, File)Kotlikoff welcomed an independent review by an outside law firm into Cornell's handling of the case and said the university supports Gov.
Kathy Hochul's decision to turn the criminal investigation over to New York Attorney General Letitia James.He said Cornell would not wait for those reviews to conclude before making changes to prevention and education, student support, mental health and substance use resources and investigative processes."We will act," Kotlikoff said.Jane Doe alleges in a lawsuit that seven former Chi Phi fraternity brothers drugged and sexually assaulted her during an October 2024 night at the fraternity house.Doe was a 20-year-old Cornell undergraduate at the time.CORNELL RAPE ALLEGATIONS PROMPT NY ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA JAMES TO OPEN ‘ACTIVE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION’Cornell University in It...