A former U.S. deputy attorney general will lead a review of Cornell University’s response to sexual misconduct. Campus officials announced that Sally Yates will oversee the probe, aiming to assess the university’s practices regarding such incidents.
Yates served as the Department of Justice’s second-highest-ranking official between 2015 and 2017 during the Obama administration. She will examine Cornell’s policies and resources related to sexual misconduct on campus following an alleged rape at a fraternity house in 2024.
The review will look into how reports are handled and the support provided to students. It will also cover disciplinary decisions and the role of campus police in these matters.
“Sally Yates brings extraordinary experience, independence, and judgment to this work,” university trustee Anne Meinig Smalling stated. “We aim to understand Cornell’s overall approach and identify areas for improvement to ensure a safer community.”
The university decided on this course of action after receiving a tip about possible witness tampering related to the allegations. According to school records reviewed by ABC News, this involved the Chi Phi fraternity leadership.
Cornell investigators questioned witnesses regarding a cover-up attempt. According to ABC News, a female student stated, “Chi Phi held a meeting essentially to get all of the men on the same page about what happened.” Several men named in the lawsuit have denied the allegations.
The announcement follows an incident where protesters vandalized campus property, reflecting growing frustration over the university’s handling of the case.
The alleged assault, reported by a woman known as Jane Doe, involved fraternity members pressuring her to consume drugs and alcohol. Her lawsuit claims an accused fraternity member sent invitations for others to participate.
This incident has gained national attention, prompting comments from public figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Florence Pugh, and Mariska Hargitay. Ocasio-Cortez remarked, “We cannot protect those spaces anymore. Never again.”
Yates will also evaluate the school’s handling of the allegations against the Chi Phi fraternity. Cornell officials stated the need for rigorous internal examination to improve their response and prevention strategies.
“It is imperative that Cornell be willing to examine itself,” Smalling added. “Understanding past events will guide us in becoming a leader in preventing sexual violence.”
The review is expected to be conducted thoroughly and promptly, as requested by Cornell’s administration.
In a related development, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed state Attorney General Letitia James to oversee a criminal investigation into the allegations against the fraternity.
Hochul’s decision followed new revelations about the initial handling of the case and concerns over Tompkins County Attorney Matthew Van Houten’s management of a prior probe. Van Houten cited New York’s “voluntary intoxication loophole” when defending his initial decision against filing charges.
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of safety and justice for the involved student, highlighting parental expectations for college safety.
President Donald Trump criticized Hochul’s selection of James, citing her previous cases against him, and questioned the fairness of the investigation.