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Cornell agrees to independent review of how it handled fraternity sexual assault allegations: Governor
The review follows a civil lawsuit and renewed criminal scrutiny after Cornell said 35% of undergraduate women reported sexual assault on campus.
On Wednesday, Cornell University agreed to an independent investigation into fraternity sexual assault allegations, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told ABC News.
A former student alleges she was drugged and gang-raped by seven Chi Phi members in 2024, prompting prosecutors to reopen the criminal investigation after she filed a civil lawsuit.
Following a Title IX investigation, Cornell issued sanctions including expulsions and suspensions, and the university defended its actions, stating, "Any suggestion that the University did not impose consequential punishments for those involved is false."
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten is considering criminal charges, though he acknowledged his office didn't "independently investigate" the allegations two years ago.
Internal Cornell data show 35% of undergraduate women reported sexual assault during their time on campus, leading Governor Kathy Hochul to state, "There's been a culture of this kind of treatment of young women on campuses for as long as I've been in college, and it has to change.
Young reported that in 2024 she was drunk, drugged and raped in a group in the home of a fraternity linked to Cornell. The university prepares external review on how the case was treated.