By Fatma Younis
New York State Police will take over all sexual assault investigations at Cornell University under an agreement announced Thursday by Governor Kathy Hochul, following intense criticism of the university’s handling of a gang-rape allegation involving a former student.
Agreement details
The agreement, signed by Cornell and state police, takes effect immediately and refers sexual offense complaints to state police for criminal investigations unless the accuser requests otherwise. Survivors may also ask Cornell University Police, Ithaca Police, or the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office to handle their cases.
Background of the scandal
The policy change comes after a woman identified as Jane Doe alleged she was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024. The criminal investigation was initially closed without charges, but reopened in September after she filed a civil lawsuit. A former fraternity president was later dropped from the suit after being misidentified.
State response
Hochul appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to oversee the case, questioning why the local prosecutor declined charges without interviewing the accuser or reviewing the full police interview transcript. The governor called the allegations “horrifying” and said survivors must trust institutions meant to protect them.
Independent review and faculty action
Cornell’s board of trustees appointed former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to conduct an independent review of the university’s response to sexual misconduct. The new state police agreement will remain during that review. Meanwhile, the Faculty Senate plans a non-binding no-confidence vote on the administration’s handling of sexual assault cases, with voting set for October 30 to November 6.
