Cornell University hired former US Acting Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an internal investigation into the university’s response to sexual assault on campus — as well as their handling of the “Cornell 7” gang-rape allegations.
Yates is slated to conduct an independent review of how the Ithaca Ivy League school prevents and responds to sexual assault claims, the university announced Tuesday.
The independent review will examine the prestigious university’s prevention and response procedures, student support systems and handling of reports, investigations, disciplinary hearings and appeals, Cornell’s announcement said.
Yates’ internal probe will also dig into campus police and their coordination with other law enforcement agencies, policies and oversight with frats, sororities and other student organizations — and the school board’s “oversight of these issues.”
In addition to looking at the school’s protocols as a whole, the investigation will include a “detailed review” of Cornell’s response to the harrowing allegations brought forward in a lawsuit by Jane Doe against the school and seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity who allegedly drugged her with ketamine and gang-raped her.
Yates, who was fired from her post as acting attorney general by President Trump in 2020, will determine whether the elite New York school followed its policies and procedures in responding to Doe’s horrifying claims.
“The questions raised by the Jane Doe matter warrant a rigorous examination of Cornell’s response to that case, but our responsibility is broader,” said Anne Meinig Smalling, Chair of the Special Committee, in a statement.
In her lawsuit, Doe alleged that she was “commanded” by one of the frat bros to snort Ketamine off his erect genitalia as she was helplessly sexually attacked by others in October 2024 — while one member texted the frat’s Snapchat group that there was “free p—y” as she lay unconscious.
The suit also claims that Cornell failed to adequately investigate and punish the Chi Phi members allegedly involved.
Two of the seven frat bros were expelled after reportedly being found responsible for sexual by a Cornell disciplinary board and several others faced lengthy suspensions — but no criminal charges were ever brought against them.
Cornell has since fired back at Doe’s claims, calling the accuser “irresponsible” for suggesting it did nothing but require the young men to write punishment essays.
The school has faced intense scrutiny and backlash in the weeks since Doe’s lawsuit made headlines — with campus protests and student government hearings demanding Cornell take firmer action against sexual violence on campus.
Cornell president Michael Kotlikoff called alleged gang-rape case a “defining moment” in the school’s history last week and insisted the university “must do better.”
More than 1,000 furious protesters marched on campus Monday in support of Jane Doe and demanded the resignation of the school’s president.
A newly formed Special Committee of the school’s Board of Trustees said Yates will have “full independence” to conduct her review.
Yates has previously investigated allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct ater she was hired by the US Soccer Federation to look into the National Women’s Soccer League following allegations brought forward by two former NWSL players involving harassment and sexual coercion.
With Post wires
