Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff’s reported remarks about a delayed report of sexual assault have drawn criticism from a former student alleging she was drugged and raped by multiple men at a fraternity house in October 2024.
A letter from the former student, identified as Jane Doe in a civil lawsuit, claims Kotlikoff questioned why she waited to report the incident during a January 2025 meeting with sorority leaders. Jane Doe stated in the letter to Cornell’s Faculty Senate that the sorority president relayed Kotlikoff’s comments, which she interpreted as doubt in her account. She reported the alleged assault to campus police on November 8, 2024, nearly three weeks after it occurred at the Chi Phi fraternity house on October 19–20, 2024.
Cornell University disputed Jane Doe’s account in a statement, asserting that Kotlikoff’s question about the delay was directed at bystanders who failed to use the school’s anonymous tip line, despite social media discussions about the incident in October 2024. The university maintained that the president was not questioning Jane Doe’s reporting.
Jane Doe’s letter, obtained by CBS News and the New York Times, was sent to the Faculty Senate as it considers a no-confidence vote in Kotlikoff’s administration. In the letter, she wrote that hearing of the comments made her feel unsupported and disbelieved, adding that it diminished her confidence in the administration’s ability to handle her case with fairness. The Faculty Senate is reviewing the letter as part of its deliberations.
Cornell’s Response and Broader Scrutiny
Cornell University issued a statement calling Jane Doe’s description of Kotlikoff’s remarks “incorrect, based on a documented first-hand account.” The university emphasized that the president’s question about the delay was not aimed at Jane Doe but at bystanders who did not report the incident through official channels. Cornell also noted that the sorority president’s account was relayed to Jane Doe secondhand.
The case has drawn significant attention, with Cornell students holding a campus rally on October 5 to protest the university’s handling of the allegations. The Faculty Senate’s consideration of a no-confidence vote adds further pressure to the administration’s response. Jane Doe’s letter does not specify whether she intends to pursue legal action beyond the civil lawsuit already filed.
Timeline of Key Events
- October 19–20, 2024: Alleged assault occurs at the Chi Phi fraternity house.
- November 8, 2024: Jane Doe reports the incident to campus police.
- January 2025: Kotlikoff allegedly questions the delay in reporting during a meeting with sorority leaders.
- February 2025: Jane Doe sends letter to Faculty Senate detailing her concerns.
- Ongoing: Faculty Senate reviews the letter amid calls for administrative accountability.