ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – Allegations of gang rape at Cornell.
A former student is accusing seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity of sexually assaulting her on October 19, 2024.
The Cornell Daily Sun reports that the unnamed student is suing the university and the fraternity, claiming she was coerced into doing ketamine and incapable of sexual consent. The plaintiff, who was underaged at the time of the alleged assault, claims her evening began at Tri-Delta, where she consumed liquor before attending a national sorority event hosted at Moonies Bar & Nightclub.
She goes on to say she was served alcohol while at Moonies, and allegedly left the bar around 11 p.m., making a stop at Lot 10 before traveling alone to Chi Phi’s frat house at 107 Edgemoor Lane. The alleged assault started with two defendants, one of which is accused of inviting more fraternity brothers to join in.
The incident was reported to campus police in November 2024, and the fraternity was placed on temporary suspension.
According to the complaint, Cornell’s Title IX investigation is believed to have concluded. Read more from the Cornell Daily Sun here.
On September 21, Cornell issued a statement in response.
Cornell University is aware of a lawsuit concerning the deeply disturbing allegations of sexual assault involving members of the student community that occurred in 2024.
The Cornell Office of Civil Rights and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards investigated and adjudicated the allegations consistent with university policies. The Xi chapter of Chi Phi fraternity remains barred from our campus. Federal privacy law prohibits Cornell from disclosing specific information regarding individual students and we therefore are unable to make a public statement on any other disciplinary response. Violations of university policies could lead to sanctions up to and including suspension or expulsion. We will respond in detail through the legal process.
We take sexual violence extremely seriously. The Presidential Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault was launched shortly after this incident and issued a REPORT in March 2026. Several of the recommendations have already been implemented, while others are in development with oversight by a university implementation committee.
Anyone who has experienced or is aware of sexual misconduct on our campus can report it to the Cornell Office of Civil Rights via their online reporting tool. The university also offers a number of confidential resources to individuals looking for confidential support.
Kyle Kimball
Vice President for University Relations
You can read the Presidential Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault report here.
