On Monday, the plaza in front of Cornell University’s student center became a sea of purple ribbons and impassioned voices. More than a hundred students, several faculty members and a handful of community allies assembled under the banner “Justice for Survivors,” echoing slogans such as “Cornell, can you hear us now?” and “When will we start protecting survivors?” The gathering was organized by dozens of campus groups, most notably Students for a Democratic Cornell (SDC) which framed the protest as a direct response to the university’s handling of a September 14 civil lawsuit alleging a 2024 gang rape by members of the Chi Phi fraternity.
Speakers rose one after another, weaving past and present grievances. Athena Holloway, former president of Black Students United and current head of Cornell NAACP, invoked the 1969 Willard Straight Hall takeover, reminding listeners that “Cornell has changed before, and we can change it again.” Meanwhile, Soham Bera, SDC vice-chair, described the day as “a moment where you had hundreds, if not thousands, of students coming together” despite an administration known for cracking down on dissent. Chants quickly turned to personal demands, with repeated calls for President Michael Kotlikoff to step down and a unified shout of “Ban the frats!” resonating through Day Hall.
The lawsuit and the university’s internal response
The protest was sparked by a lawsuit filed on Sept. 14 by a former student identified only as Jane Doe. The complaint alleges that seven members of Chi Phi sexually assaulted her in 2024, that the assault involved illegal drug use, and that Cornell failed to act in accordance with New York law. According to the filing, campus police made a drug-related arrest at the fraternity house less than 24 hours before the alleged assault, but the university’s student conduct office was not notified until after the fact. The suit accuses Cornell of negligence, breach of contract, and violations of state statutes.
In response, the university launched a Title IX investigation in January 2025. Attorney Thomas Giuffra reports that the investigation resulted in the expulsion of two of the seven accused students and that other fraternity members were required to write reflective essays—though the university later clarified that no student was singled out for essay-only punishment. Cornell confirmed expulsions and suspensions but declined to disclose individual outcomes. The lawsuit also claims Doe was denied a tuition refund when she withdrew, a point the school met with a generic statement about assisting students who request leave.
Faculty dissent, external reviews and political pressure
Beyond the streets, Cornell’s faculty voiced deep disappointment. Labor-history professor Paul Ortiz introduced a no-confidence resolution on Monday, stating that the faculty senate “has no confidence in the ability of the central administration to effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault.” The resolution, while not legally binding, is slated for a vote on Oct. 14. Simultaneously, the Board of Trustees appointed former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an independent review that will scrutinize policies, reporting mechanisms, support services, and the role of Greek life.
State involvement has also intensified. After a previous decision not to prosecute, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten reopened the criminal investigation on Sept. 28. Governor Kathy Hochul publicly criticized the DA, arguing that the district attorney failed to interview the victim or request a full transcript. The governor subsequently appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor on Oct. 1. Social media has amplified the controversy, with an “I am Jane Doe” campaign generating over 4 million views on TikTok and an alumni petition amassing more than 61,000 signatures demanding that the university withhold financial support until accountability measures are enacted.
