Cornell released an FAQ page addressing the University’s response to the alleged 2024 Chi Phi gang rape in an Tuesday evening email sent to the Cornell community. The page contradicts a claim made by the Tompkins County District Attorney.
On the FAQ page, the University fielded questions about criminal charges, police involvement, Cornell’s disclosure of information and its approach to sexual misconduct in connection to the Sept. 14 Chi Phi lawsuit. The email was signed by Anne Meinig Smalling ’87, chair of the Cornell University Board of Trustees, President Michael Kotlikoff and Provost Kavita Bala.
This release comes after a former Cornell student, identified as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit against the University, Chi Phi and others on Sept. 14, alleging that she was sexually assaulted and gang raped after being coerced into consuming drugs at Cornell’s Chi Phi house in 2024.
The lawsuit claims that the University failed to “exercise reasonable care” to prevent the defendants from allegedly assaulting Doe while she was a full-time student at Cornell.
“Everyone in the Cornell community must be able to be able to live, work, and study without fear of sexual assault or abuse,” the administrators’ email reads.
Information Provided to D.A.
The FAQ page states that the University shared “all investigatory information” with the D.A.’s office in 2024, specifically naming “the Snapchat screenshot.”
In a Monday interview, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten told ABC News that his office never received this Snapchat image.
The image, included in the lawsuit, pictured one defendant allegedly encouraging his fraternity brothers to join in the alleged assault, messaging about “free pussy” in a Snapchat group chat titled “Chi Phi Actives.”
Criminal Charges
The FAQ page also states that the decision to not bring criminal charges in 2024 was up to the district attorney’s office, not Cornell.
“Cornell’s process is distinct from the criminal justice system and applies university policies and standards, not criminal law,” the page reads.
Van Houten explained the decision process in a Monday statement. He wrote that multiple prosecutors and investigators determined that Doe’s initial statement — which he described as “dramatically different” than the lawsuit — “did not constitute a crime.” He added that the office then confirmed with the Cornell University Police Department that criminal charges “were not appropriate.”
In the FAQ page, the University re-affirmed its support for Van Houten’s Monday decision to re-open the investigation.
Police Involvement
One question asked why CUPD didn’t bring in the Ithaca Police Department.
The University wrote that CUPD is a “sworn law enforcement agency” and “performs the same functions as municipal police.”
In a Monday press release, IPD wrote that the alleged assault and rape at the Chi Phi house were never reported to its department. The lawsuit claimed that "upon information and belief," the incident was still under IPD investigation.
Information Disclosure
The page also addressed concerns that the University did not disclose specific information regarding the results of the investigations, the individuals involved and the sanctions issued.
The University stated that Cornell “cannot publicly provide an individual-by-individual account of its findings or disciplinary actions” due to federal privacy laws.
“We recognize that this legal limitation can be frustrating and can create the impression that Cornell is unwilling to answer legitimate questions about accountability,” the FAQ page reads. “Our adherence to privacy laws should not be interpreted as indifference to the seriousness of the conduct at issue.”
In a Monday statement, Kyle Kimball, vice president for university relations, cast light on the University’s investigation after previously declining to provide further information. He stated that the University issued expulsions and suspensions following a Title IX investigation and hearing panel, in addition to enforcing temporary suspensions and “restrictive” measures during the proceedings.
Doe’s attorney has claimed that two of the seven defendants were expelled, according to CBS News. Kimball did not clarify how many students were expelled or suspended.
The Chi Phi chapter at Cornell was closed in 2024 and is currently barred from campus, Kimball added.
The lawsuit claims that several of the defendants “were afforded the opportunity to mitigate their conduct by submitting essays” to the University. In his Monday statement, Kimball wrote that essay-writing was not offered as a “sole consequence” to any of the defendants.
Approach to Sexual Misconduct
The FAQ asks, “Does Cornell believe its response in 2024 was adequate?”
In response, the University highlighted its monthslong Title IX investigation. It also referenced “a range of sanctions,” including expulsions and suspensions, imposed on the individuals involved in other questions.
“At the same time, responding to an incident of this seriousness cannot end when an investigation is completed or sanctions are imposed,” the statement reads. “We have an obligation to ask what more we can learn, what we can do better, and how we can reduce the likelihood that anything like this happens again.
The FAQ page includes information on the University’s commitment to its Presidential Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault, launched in Febraury 2025. It also noted that Cornell “recognizes that policies and programs alone are not enough.”
In their Tuesday email, the administrators linked multiple resources for the community to reference: the task force’s site and final report, a survivor support letter and the University’s previous statements about the alleged incident.
The University expressed its continued dedication to combatting sexual assault on campus.
“Our goal is not simply to respond appropriately when sexual misconduct is reported, but to build a community in which sexual violence is prevented, people feel safe coming forward, those who do are supported, and individuals found responsible are held accountable.”
Varsha Bhargava is a member of the Class of 2027 in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She is the managing editor of the 144th Editorial Board and was a news editor for the 143rd Editorial Board. She can be reached at vbhargava@cornellsun.com.
Kate Turk is a member of the Class of 2027 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is the assistant managing editor of the 144th board and was an assistant news editor for the 143rd Editorial Board. She can be reached at kturk@cornellsun.com.
