Justice · Campus safetyCornell Bans Fraternity-House Parties for the Rest of 2026–27Aired October 13, 2026 at 9:52 PM UTCWritten October 13, 2026 at 9:58 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyFollow via RSSTranscript · LOADING0:07On October 8th, we reported Cornell's two inquiries.0:10Today, Cornell has banned fraternity house parties.0:12The restriction reaches fraternity houses across the university, alongside new0:16commitments to investigate assaults and help survivors.0:19What changes for students now, and what still needs explaining about Cornell's0:23response to Jane Doe?0:24Cornell has prohibited parties and social events at fraternity houses for the0:28remainder of the 2026-27 academic year.0:31President Michael Kotlikoff announced the rule on October 13th.0:35It reaches beyond Chifi, the fraternity named in Doe's lawsuit.0:39Doe is a former Cornell student using a pseudonym.0:42She filed her civil lawsuit in September 2026.0:45She alleges seven men associated with Chifi drugged and raped her at a fraternity0:49house party.0:50The men deny wrongdoing.0:51The alleged assault occurred on October 19th and 20, 2024, in Tompkins County.0:56Kotlikoff said, I am deeply sorry for the harm Jane Doe suffered in 2024 and1:02appalled that this act of sexual violence occurred within our Cornell community.1:06He also acknowledged that Cornell had fallen short.1:08He said women on campus continue to question whether they're safe and promised1:12meaningful action.1:13His statement expresses the university's response to Doe's allegations.1:17The court hasn't decided the defendant's liability.1:20The ban lasts through the rest of the school year, extending into 2027.1:23Violators face suspension, but it's unclear whether that applies to individual1:27students, fraternity chapters, or both.1:29Those penalties affect different people and organizations.1:32Cornell still needs to clarify how it will enforce the prohibition.1:36The announced rule covers events held at fraternity houses.1:39Cornell hasn't clarified how it applies to fraternity-sponsored events elsewhere.1:43For students reporting an assault, the other changes concern who investigates and1:46who helps them find support.1:48Cornell says it's bringing in criminal investigators trained to work with people1:51who've experienced trauma.1:52New York State police officers will have a role in investigating campus sexual1:56assault allegations.1:57Cornell also plans experienced trauma-informed criminal investigators within its2:01police operation.2:03And it says additional staff will help people report sexual misconduct and navigate2:07support systems.2:08That help addresses the work of finding a reporting route and getting assistance2:11after making a report.2:12Cornell also plans a review by national prevention experts.2:16They'll examine its approach to prevention, while a separate review examines the2:19university's handling of sexual assault claims.2:22Neither commitment yet shows how the earlier response failed or what has been2:25corrected.2:25District Attorney Matthew Van Houten declined to pursue charges after relying on2:29Doe's initial six-page police statement.2:32Doe's lawyer, Thomas Joffra, says Cornell's new measures help her goal of improving2:36its response to abuse claims, but came too late to protect her.2:39Van Houten didn't review additional witness statements and other evidence Cornell2:43police collected.2:44It isn't clear what Cornell sent him or what he received.2:47The case was closed in 2024.2:49On October 9th, Jufra alleged campus police had misled Doe about the investigation's2:54status in the weeks after she reported the assault.2:56Letitia James now has responsibility for the criminal case.3:00Governor Kathy Hochl appointed her special prosecutor on October 1st.3:03Separately, Cornell's trustees selected Sally Yates, a former deputy and acting U.S.3:08Attorney General, to examine the university's handling of sexual assault claims.3:12Hochel and James gave a public update on October 20.3:15James's appointment transferred this case from Van Houten while he remained district3:19attorney.3:20She can present evidence to a grand jury and prosecute if warranted.3:23Yates' role was already public by October 6th.3:26On October 8th, we reported that Kotlikoff backed James' inquiry and trustees had3:30selected Yates.3:31Cornell's new announcement changes the rules for fraternity house social events3:35immediately.3:36Students are still waiting to learn how the state officers and campus investigators3:40will divide their work.3:41Cornell hasn't given a start date for the added reporting support staff, and neither3:45accountability inquiry has a completion date.The shortRelated coverageContinued coverageOct 8 21:19 UTCCornell Names Sally Yates as Doe’s Lawyer Reports Threats and Defendant Challenges Prosecutor
