The Ithaca Common Council voted late Wednesday night to stop issuing city permits to Cornell University and affiliated student groups, including fraternities, following widespread criticism of the Ivy League school's handling of rape allegations made by a former student.After hours of debate, the council voted 9-1 in favor of a moratorium, which temporarily bars Cornell from obtaining new permits for assemblies, parades and special events on the Ithaca Commons and activities requiring noise permits, citing public safety concerns.The measure drew support from numerous Cornell students and Ithaca residents, although some graduate students raised concerns that the restrictions were overly broad and could disrupt activities unrelated to Greek life.The fraternity house at the center of a rape allegation from a former Cornell student identified as "Jane Doe" stands on the campus of Cornell University on October 7, 2026, in Ithaca, New York.(Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)CORNELL PROTESTERS SWARM CAMPUS TO SUPPORT JANE DOE, CALL FOR UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT'S RESIGNATIONOne graduate student warned that the moratorium could result in canceled or delayed events, lost deposits, reduced access to venues and disruptions to conferences.The moratorium will stay in place until Nov.
5, unless the council extends it at a later date.The measure also includes an amendment that requires Cornell to refer investigations involving sexual and violent crimes to the Ithaca Police Department, though its unclear how that will be enforced.The moratorium comes after the student, identified as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit in September accusing seven former Chi Phi fraternity members of drugging and raping her on the night of Oct.
19, 2024, and into the following morning.In the lawsuit, she alleges she arrived to the frat house already intoxicated, after which the men pressured her into taking ketamine and other substances.The men have denied wrongdoing, with some maintaining the sexual activity was consens...