Cornell president vows 'serious look' at fraternities in wake of gang rape allegations

Cornell University will examine the role of fraternities and sororities on campus following an outcry over the school's handling of a student's gang rape allegations, the president says.

In an 8-minute video message to the Cornell community, Michael Kotlikoff said the past week had raised questions around the investigations conducted at the time the allegations were reported, and that the school would take steps to prevent a similar situation in the future. 

That would include "a serious look at the role of fraternities and sororities in campus life", he said.

"At their best, these organisations can provide students with friendship, belonging, mentorship and a powerful sense of community.

"But being part of a group can never diminish individual responsibility."

The alleged victim is suing the men, the Chi Phi fraternity, the university, an Ithaca bar and others, seeking undisclosed damages.

Identified in court documents as Jane Doe, she says she was pressured into taking illicit drugs and drinking alcohol, which completely incapacitated her.

According to investigation records obtained by The New York Times, the woman told a police officer: "I can say with 100 per cent confidence I was raped."

But that statement was left out of an official police report that was sent to prosecutors, who ultimately dropped the case.

The school conducted its own investigation and issued sanctions, including expelling some students and suspending others.

Mr Kotlikoff reaffirmed his commitment to supporting an independent review of Cornell's handling of the case, which was called for by New York Governor Kathy Hochul. 

He said the school's board of trustees would announce details of the review later this week, and expressed support for Ms Hochul's decision to turn the criminal investigation over to the state attorney-general. 

"I want to acknowledge something that can be difficult for an institution to say: We don't have all the answers, but we are committed to investigating and finding the answers our community deserves," he said.

During a student assembly hearing on October 1, several speakers called for Mr Kotlikoff's resignation.

Ms Hochul declined to take a position on whether Mr Kotlikoff should resign over the university's handling of the case when asked at a press conference on October 2, saying she did not yet have enough information.

Mr Kotlikoff acknowledged frustration that Cornell had not communicated enough, saying that had led to distrust.

While citing "real legal and privacy limits" on what the university could disclose, he pledged greater transparency and more opportunities for students, parents and others to engage with university leaders.

He also committed Cornell's support to legislative efforts to change New York's sexual assault laws.

State laws make it difficult to prosecute sexual assaults that involved victims who voluntarily consumed drugs and alcohol, even if they became too incapacitated to consent.

Critics say the laws create a "voluntary intoxication loophole", which separates people who were incapacitated by drugs without their consent, and those who voluntarily became intoxicated.

The district attorney who initially chose not to pursue criminal charges cited these laws as reason, saying the woman's original statement to police described voluntary drug use and sexual activity.