Cornell University has banned fraternity parties for the rest of the 2026-2027 academic year in response to an explosive lawsuit from a female student alleging she had been sexually assaulted by seven men at the Chi Phi house in 2024.University President Michael Kotlikoff made the announcement in a message to the campus community Tuesday, in which he also pledged that the school would provide "better support for survivors.""All parties and social events in Interfraternity Council (IFC) houses at Cornell will be suspended for the remainder of the 2026-2027 academic year," Kotlikoff wrote."These measures will provide time for a thorough review of fraternity life at Cornell to determine whether and how it can safely continue."CORNELL PRESIDENT SAYS UNIVERSITY 'MUST DO BETTER' ON HANDLING OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONSThe 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 Oct.
7, 2026, in Ithaca, New York.(Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)He added that there would be "zero tolerance for violations." Any fraternity holding a party or "social event" would face immediate suspension, he said.
In the meantime, he said the school would be looking for ways to have "safe social alternatives."The student behind the lawsuit, identified only as Jane Doe in court filings, raised a series of alarming allegations last month, prompting New York Gov.Kathy Hochul to appoint the state attorney general's office as a special prosecutor to investigate the claims.
Cornell also hired former U.S.Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to conduct a review of her own.WHO IS SALLY YATES? CORNELL RAPE-REVIEW PICK WAS FIRED BY TRUMP AFTER REFUSING TO DEFEND TRAVEL BANNew York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York Attorney General Letitia James attend a press conference regarding an investigation into alleged sexual assault at Cornell University, in New York City, US, October 2, 2026.
(REUTERS/Jeenah Moon)Corne...