Cornell University Fraternity Incident Sparks Outrage and Legal Action
Members of the Chi Phi fraternity reportedly shared images of a woman claiming to be a victim of sexual assault at Cornell University. The incident occurred on Snapchat on the night of the alleged attack in October 2024. A photo, obtained through the woman’s lawyer, showed her with another individual, shared among fraternity members. Just before the photo was circulated, a message read, “Like you can walk in and whip it out.” Another message followed, “Shop still open?” answered with “Yeah.”
The woman, known as Jane Doe and 20 at the time, has filed a lawsuit against seven Cornell students and the university. Two of the students were expelled, two faced suspensions, one graduated, and two were not held accountable for sexual misconduct. Cornell President Michael I. Kotlikoff confirmed this on September 29. However, no arrests were made.
Two students denied involvement through their legal representatives, while others offered no statement. The Chi Phi fraternity chapter at Cornell was closed in 2024. The Tompkins County District Attorney, after initially declining to press charges, reopened the case due to the lawsuit. New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor, replacing the original prosecutor.
CBS News accessed findings from a lengthy Title IX investigation by Cornell University. At a hearing in May 2025, Jane Doe described feeling like “bait” and in a “debilitating place.” She admitted to using ketamine, describing its effects as “lights are on, but nobody’s home.” In various interviews, Jane Doe and the accused offered differing accounts. Some accused claimed she wasn’t intoxicated and provided consent, but Jane Doe recounted her ordeal as feeling “cornered” and used “as a sex doll.” She recalled being taken to a closet and described the experience as “just raping,” experiencing lapses in consciousness.
The Title IX investigation documented a student who received a call the next day from an accused asking her to ensure a friend did not “say anything.” Jane Doe mentioned receiving apologies from three men after the incident. She gathered evidence, including her dress, and sought treatment for a urinary tract infection, explaining it resulted from a “traumatic way.” Surprisingly, instead of getting referred for a rape kit, she was told to “speak with somebody.”
During a town hall meeting, Cornell students expressed their frustration and called for change. Jane Wang from the Cornell American Civil Liberties Union stated, “Survivors need to know that when they come forward with their stories, somebody will listen and a broader institution will act upon it.”