Cornell president calls out ‘party culture’ after alleged gang rape, backs state inquiry

Published October 4, 2026 9:32am ET | Updated October 4, 2026 9:32am ET



Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said an alleged gang rape at a fraternity house exposed troubling questions about the school’s “party culture” and pledged to examine the role of Greek life on campus as New York officials take over the criminal investigation.

Kotlikoff addressed the allegations involving a former student, identified as Jane Doe, in an eight-minute message to the Cornell community Saturday, calling the 2024 incident “deeply disturbing” and acknowledging criticism of how the university handled the case.

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