Cornell president speaks out for the first time on alleged gang rape saying his 'heart aches' over 'troubling issues'... as Jane Doe's lawyer reveals she's 'hanging on by a string'

The President of Cornell University has broken his silence over the alleged gang rape on campus that caused a firestorm including outrage over the college's response.

Michael Kotlikoff said his 'heart aches' for the unnamed woman who recently ignited the scrutiny of the case after she filed a Jane Doe lawsuit accusing seven male students of raping and sexually assaulting her while she was intoxicated at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.

At the time Cornell conducted its own investigation and disciplined several students, but a criminal probe under District Attorney Matthew Van Houten's office did not result in any charges.

However Doe's lawsuit earlier this month sparked renewed interest in the case after it detailed fresh allegations and New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed has now Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor in the case. 

In his statement, Kotlikoff expressed support for the governor's decision and admitted that questions have been raised about the university's handling of the case two years ago as he insisted the college must 'do better.'

His statement came a day after Doe's lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, told interview with NBC News that she is 'hanging on by a thread' and 'not doing well.'

'She comes from a small town. Her dream, from when she was a little girl, was to go to the Cornell Hotel School. This was her desire,' Giuffra added. 

A female student at Cornell University has alleged in a recent lawsuit that she was raped by multiple fraternity members in 2024 at the Chi Phi fraternity house

Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff said in a video message on Saturday that the administration welcomed an investigation into the university's handling of the 2024 alleged rape case 

The lawsuit included alleged messages on Snapchat of Chi Phi fraternity members apparently discussing the incident 

He revealed that it was so traumatizing that she wanted to withdraw from Cornell, but was worried the financial strain would be too much. 

'She had to stay there, and then ultimately, she couldn’t take it anymore. Her mother was up there constantly, and she had to leave,' Giuffra said. 

Doe eventually dropped out of the university. The lawsuit also alleges that only two of the seven alleged attackers were expelled and some were asked only to submit essays. 

Doe had given a statement to authorities after the incident and the DA's office did not file charges.

Van Houten defended his office's decision, citing differences between her initial statement and the allegations outlined in the new lawsuit, a claim Giuffra disputed. 

Kotlikoff said he 'welcomed' an investigation into Cornell's handling and supported the governor's decision to appoint James, adding that campus administration will support legislative efforts to strengthen laws on sexual assault and intoxication. 

He called the days following the lawsuit 'one of the most difficult weeks' in Cornell history, adding that he acknowledged students were 'angry, sad and struggling.'

'What happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come,' the president continued. 

'My heart aches when I think of what she experienced. It raises heartbreaking and troubling issues about sexual assault, dehumanization and aspects of party culture, alcohol and drug use.'

'We must do everything we can to prevent what happened to Jane Doe, and everyone before her, and anyone after her, from ever happening again.'

Cornell has backed the DA's decision to revisit the case. Chi Phi has been banned from campus since 2024

Kotlikoff promised to improve campus culture and ensure students understand consent moving forward. 

He added that campus administration would make a 'greater effort' to be transparent with students.

Kotlikoff said there will be announcements in the coming weeks for broader conversations, including the role that Greek life plays on campus. 

The president concluded that Cornell was 'listening, learning and committed to communicating more openly.' 

'This is a defining moment in Cornell's history. We must lead the way. We owe it to Jane Doe and to survivors of assault to get this right, and we must keep each other safe,' he said.

The governor has reiterated the public's concerns about the initial handling of the case, saying in a statement that 'newly released information continues to raise serious questions about the investigation,' which has in turn 'undercut my faith, and the public’s faith.'

Giuffra praised the decision to appoint James, adding he 'had no faith in DA Van Houten’s ability or desire to actively investigate and prosecute this case.' 

The lawsuit names the university, seven fraternity brothers and a local bar as defendants. None of the seven men have been criminally charged. 

Jeremy Saland, an attorney for accused student Scott Kretzschmar, said his client denies the claims and warned against letting public outrage become a presumption of guilt. 

Two other defendants, Scott Norris and Gillio Lopes, have also publicly denied participating in the alleged sexual assaults or drug use described in the complaint. 

At the time of Cornell's 2024 investigation, the other four defendants admitted to sexual contact with Jane Doe but insisted it was consensual.