Cornell suspends frat parties after gang rape case

Cornell University suspends fraternity parties after gang rape case

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Cornell University has suspended all parties at frat houses until the end of the 2026/27 academic year, according to DW News. The university announced the suspension on Tuesday, citing a need to provide time for a thorough review of fraternity life at Cornell. This comes after a gang rape case in 2024, in which a woman alleged to have been drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple members of the Chi Phi fraternity. The university's reaction to the gang rape allegations has attracted criticism from around the nation and overseas. DW News reports that Cornell University has more than 20 active fraternities that are organized under its Interfraternity Council. It is not clear whether the suspension also includes parties that take place outside the campus.

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said the measures were to "provide time for a thorough review of fraternity life" at Cornell, while also determining how it can safely continue. As part of the measures, Cornell is to hold talks with students and faculty experts about the "development of safe social alternatives" to Greek life party culture, according to ABC News — Just In. The university will also be investing the money needed to support the initiatives' establishment. Additionally, Cornell will be adding a case manager to its Office of Civil Rights to support people that report sexual misconduct, as reported by DW News.

The university has faced backlash over how it handled an alleged gang rape at the Chi Phi fraternity house in 2024, according to ABC News — Just In. The woman filed a lawsuit in September, in which she claimed she had been drugged and sexually assaulted by several fraternity members after attending a party at the Chi Phi house in October 2024. The seven men mentioned in the lawsuit have denied the allegations. The university initially investigated the case, but the Tompkins County district attorney did not prosecute. The woman has since filed a civil lawsuit against Cornell, seven former students, the fraternity and others.

Cornell University will work closely with New York State Police to allow an investigation independent of the school, as reported by DW News. The university has also announced that former US prosecutor Sally Yates will lead an independent review into how Cornell handles sexual assault allegations, according to ABC News — Just In. The new measures include a new "zero tolerance" policy for violations, which would result in an immediate suspension of a chapter. University President Michael Kotlikoff said these measures were to "provide time for a thorough review of fraternity life" at Cornell, while also determining how it can safely continue.