Cornell University suspends frat parties over gang rape allegations

Cornell University in the US has suspended all fraternity parties amid mounting backlash over its handling of an alleged gang rape at a frat house in 2024.

In September, a lawsuit filed by a woman known as Jane Doe alleged that she had been "plied with alcohol and drugs to the point of intoxication" by several fraternity members before being sexually assaulted.

Protests have broken out across the US to show support for Jane Doe as the university faces accusations that it did not sufficiently punish the men involved. The fraternity was suspended after Jane Doe initially reported the incident and the college disciplined a number of students, but no criminal charges were filed.

In a statement on Tuesday, Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff said he was "deeply sorry for the harm Jane Doe suffered" and that "this act of sexual violence occurred within our Cornell community."

"All parties and social events in Interfraternity Council (IFC) houses at Cornell will be suspended for the remainder of the 2026-2027 academic year," his statement continued, adding that this would allow time for a "thorough review of fraternity life at Cornell to determine whether and how it can safely continue."

Cornell, which is based in Ithaca, New York, will operate a "zero tolerance" policy for violations of the rule, with any fraternity holding an in-house party or social event to be suspended.

"It is clear that women on our campus continue to question whether they are safe. We must meet this moment by acknowledging where we have fallen short and taking meaningful action," Kotlikoff said.

The university has also appointed former US Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to conduct a "comprehensive independent review" of the university's response to the rape allegations.

But Kotlikoff said on Tuesday that it was "clear that we cannot wait for these findings to take action."

Other measures to be enacted by the elite Ivy League institution include the appointment of a dedicated case manager to support people reporting sexual misconduct and bringing in New York State Police to allow the force's criminal investigators to investigate any future allegations of sexual assault on campus.