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ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE: Cornell University’s North Campus, where protests continue amid an investigation into alleged sexual assault.
Cornell University Suspends Fraternity Parties After Sexual Assault Allegations
ITHACA, New York — October 14, 2026
Cornell University will suspend parties and social events at fraternity houses for the remainder of the academic year following public anger over allegations of a gang rape on campus in 2024. University President Michael Kotlikoff announced the measure as the institution faces growing criticism from students, faculty, alumni and donors over its handling of the case.
The suspension applies to houses affiliated with Cornell’s Interfraternity Council, which lists 34 fraternity houses. Kotlikoff said the restrictions would give the university time to review fraternity life and determine how such activities could continue safely.
The decision follows a lawsuit filed in September by a former undergraduate student identified as Jane Doe. She alleges that seven men sexually assaulted her during a fraternity party. None of the seven men named in the lawsuit has been criminally charged, and the allegations have not been established in court.
Prosecutors reopened the investigation after the lawsuit was filed. New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed state Attorney General Letitia James as an independent special prosecutor, citing concerns about the earlier handling of the case and the failure to protect the alleged victim.
President Donald Trump called on Hochul to remove James from the investigation. Trump repeated his demand in a social media post on Tuesday, October 13, targeting James, a Democrat who has frequently clashed with him politically. The governor’s office and the attorney general’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The university has faced sustained pressure since the lawsuit became public. Students have held protests, faculty members have pursued a no-confidence resolution, and alumni have criticized the administration’s response. At a public gathering, students accused university officials of tolerating what they described as a culture of sexual violence.
Kotlikoff said he had spent recent weeks listening to students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and university trustees. He acknowledged the anger and frustration surrounding the allegations and said women on campus continued to question whether they were safe.
Alongside the suspension, Cornell plans to hire additional staff to support survivors of sexual assault. The university will also work with New York State Police on investigations and speed up the implementation of recommendations from an earlier task force on sexual violence.
A university survey conducted in 2025 and published on Cornell’s website found that 35% of undergraduate women reported experiencing non-consensual sexual contact involving force or incapacitation since enrolling at the university. The findings add context to concerns about campus safety and the university’s response to sexual misconduct.
Kotlikoff said the university needed to acknowledge its shortcomings and take meaningful action. The suspension of fraternity events, expanded survivor support and closer cooperation with state police form part of its response as the investigation continues.
