Cornell temporarily suspends fraternity events in wake of rape allegations

Cornell University is suspending fraternity events through the rest of this academic year, amid an investigation into its handling of allegations that a student was sexually assaulted at a fraternity house in 2024, university president Michael Kotlikoff announced Oct. 13.

"All parties and social events in Interfraternity Council (IFC) houses at Cornell will be suspended for the remainder of the 2026-2027 academic year," Koltikoff said in a statement. "These measures will provide time for a thorough review of fraternity life at Cornell to determine whether and how it can safely continue."

The restrictions come weeks after a student known as Jane Doe filed a lawsuit alleging seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity gang-raped her in October 2024 while she was too intoxicated to consent. The lawsuit also accused the university of failing to protect the student.

In the wake of the accusations, Cornell on Oct. 6 hired former acting attorney general Sally Yates to conduct an independent review of its procedures. At a faculty town hall that same day, Koltikoff told faculty the university would also implement "immediate, short-term measures designed to address the anxiety and fear that our community feels now," in conjunction with the investigation.