A former student at Cornell University has launched a civil lawsuit against the institution and seven members of a fraternity, claiming she was drugged and sexually assaulted in October 2024. The allegations centre around events that allegedly occurred at the Chi Phi fraternity house in Ithaca after the student, referred to as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, visited to meet a friend.
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The lawsuit, filed on 16 September, states that Doe, aged 20 at the time, became intoxicated after attending both a sorority event and a nightclub earlier that evening. Following these social engagements, she allegedly went to the fraternity house alone around 11 p.m. The suit asserts that while there, she was pressured by two members of the fraternity to take what they allegedly claimed was ketamine, which precipitated a series of sexual assaults.
Doe alleges that the situation escalated when one of the accused reportedly sent a message to a group on Snapchat named “Chi Phi Actives,” boasting of “free p—-” available upstairs. Following this, additional fraternity members are said to have arrived and continued to force drugs upon her without her consent. According to the claims made, Doe was assaulted for several hours until she was left unconscious in the early hours of the morning.
Approximately three weeks after the alleged incident, Doe filed a report with the university’s police department. She also formally complained to Cornell’s Title IX coordinator. Following her report, the university initiated a Title IX investigation, which resulted in multiple hearings, as stated in the lawsuit. The fraternity was placed under temporary suspension due to alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct, and the students named as defendants faced temporary suspensions as well.
Controversy arose regarding the disciplinary actions taken against the accused parties. The lawsuit alleges that some fraternity members were given the chance to lessen their punishment by submitting essays to the university—a claim that Cornell University has firmly denied. In a statement released on 28 September, university officials specified that the investigations were comprehensive and led to sanctions that included temporary suspensions and expulsions for certain individuals involved.
Cornell University’s statement also noted that the Title IX process was independent of any criminal investigations. A panel comprised of trained faculty and staff reportedly heard evidence over several days, providing both Doe and the accused the opportunity to present their cases. Cornell emphasised that writing essays was not the sole consequence imposed on the accused.
In the wake of the lawsuit, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced that he is reconsidering the possibility of pursuing criminal charges against the fraternity members. However, he noted that a sworn statement from Doe in November 2024 did not include allegations of being drugged against her will or subjected to gang rape. He indicated that his office had relied on the investigation undertaken by the Cornell University Police Department instead of conducting an independent inquiry.
In response to the developments, Thomas P. Giuffra, representing Doe, expressed disappointment with any implication of blame directed at his client regarding the handling of the case. He acknowledged that the police report mirrored the allegations in the lawsuit but voiced support for renewed efforts to prosecute the accused. Giuffra stated, “If the District Attorney’s office is now considering prosecution, I believe that it is a step in the right direction, albeit a late one.”
The lawsuit has raised significant awareness about the handling of sexual assault cases at universities and the complexities surrounding campus investigations. It underscores the challenges faced by survivors in navigating both institutional processes and potential criminal proceedings.
As the case develops, it serves as a reminder to those affected by similar situations to seek support. The National Sexual Assault Hotline is available at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), providing essential resources to individuals in need of assistance.