A former student of Cornell University has initiated legal proceedings against the institution and seven members of a fraternity, accusing them of drugging and sexually assaulting her in October 2024. The lawsuit was lodged on 16 September 2024 in the New York Supreme Court by the complainant, referred to as Jane Doe in legal documents, who detailed her harrowing experience at the fraternity house of Chi Phi.
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According to reports, the incidents allegedly occurred on the night of October 19, 2024. At the time, the complainant was a 20-year-old student who had been consuming alcohol at her sorority and later at a nightclub before visiting a friend’s residence at the fraternity. It was during this visit that she claims she was administered drugs by two members of Chi Phi, leading to her alleged sexual assault by multiple individuals.
The complaint indicates that messages circulated in a Snapchat group chat named “Chi Phi Actives” where one member reportedly invited others to take part in the assault, referring to the complainant in derogatory terms. Allegations suggest that the assaults continued until approximately 5:45 am the following morning.
Approximately three weeks after the alleged assault, Doe reported the incidents to the university’s police department. In the aftermath, her attorney, Thomas Giuffra, expressed concern over the university’s response to the situation, claiming that only two out of the seven accused fraternity members faced expulsion, with the others receiving lesser disciplinary actions such as writing essays. Giuffra maintained that none of the fraternity members had been arrested.
Due to the traumatic experience, Doe ultimately decided to leave Cornell University. Prior to her departure, in November 2024, the university had issued a statement acknowledging investigations into the distressing allegations surrounding drug use and sexual violence at the Chi Phi fraternity. Cornell described the behaviour as “abhorrent” and stated that it was not to be tolerated within the university community.
Following the filing of Doe’s lawsuit, Cornell University reiterated its commitment to addressing the issues raised, acknowledging the lawsuit and affirming that the Office of Civil Rights and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards had undertaken investigations in accordance with university policies. The university confirmed that the Xi chapter of Chi Phi fraternity had been barred from its campus pending further developments.
In a statement issued by Cornell, it was noted that federal privacy regulations prevent them from disclosing specifics regarding individual students or disciplinary actions taken. However, the university assured that breaches of its policies could result in sanctions, including suspension or expulsion, and affirmed that it would respond in greater detail within the context of the legal proceedings.
The national headquarters of Chi Phi fraternity also responded to the allegations, expressing deep concern over the claims of sexual violence. They stated that such actions are entirely inconsistent with the fraternity’s founding principles of Truth, Honour, and Personal Integrity. The organisation vowed to treat the allegations with seriousness and care for everyone involved, while also respecting the legal process that is unfolding.
As details of the lawsuit emerge, it highlights pressing concerns regarding sexual violence on university campuses and the ways in which such incidents are managed by educational institutions. The case has raised questions about the adequacy of response protocols in handling allegations of this nature and the lasting impact these incidents have on survivors.
The ongoing legal proceedings will draw attention to the issue of campus safety and accountability as more information comes to light through the court system. In the meantime, the community at Cornell University and beyond continue to grapple with the implications of these serious allegations as they await the outcome of the suit against the university and its fraternity members.