The investigation into alleged group sexual assault at Cornell University in upstate New York in 2024 has been reopened, and University President Michael Kotlikoff said they would work to bring the process to completion.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul removed Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten from the case this week and appointed a special prosecutor to conduct the reopened criminal investigation. Kotlikoff said he supported the decision to appoint a special prosecutor.
Investigation reopened after civil lawsuit
An unidentified woman filed a civil lawsuit against seven men on September 16. The lawsuit identified the defendants as members of the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell University.
The woman reported the alleged assault, which she said occurred on October 19-20, 2024, to Cornell University police on November 8. Local prosecutors did not initiate a criminal prosecution at the time. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said the reason was "insufficient evidence."
The case was reviewed again after the local district attorney announced that the criminal investigation had been reopened. The investigation aims to determine whether there is sufficient basis to bring charges related to the allegations.
Kotlikoff addresses campus safety
Kotlikoff's video statement was released about a week after the reopening of the investigation was announced. The university president said the way the initial review was conducted had raised questions.
Referring to the unidentified woman as "Jane Doe," Kotlikoff said, "My heart aches when I think about what she experienced." Describing the incident as "extremely disturbing," Kotlikoff said the case raised issues including sexual assault, dehumanization, party culture, and alcohol and drug use.
Kotlikoff said the university was reviewing its response to sexual assault and considering additional measures to improve campus safety. Saying, "It is our responsibility to do better where we can," the university president described what happened as a defining period for Cornell.
Kotlikoff also said the incident would affect the university community for many years.
