Students at Cornell University are pushing back hard against the school’s handling of serious sexual assault allegations involving members of a campus fraternity. The case has left many feeling unsafe and questioning whether the Ivy League institution truly prioritizes their protection.
A civil lawsuit claims that several members of the Chi Phi fraternity supplied a woman with alcohol, marijuana, and ketamine in 2024 before sexually assaulting her while she was incapacitated. The university says it conducted a full investigation, barred the fraternity from campus, and imposed disciplinary actions that included expulsions. Officials stressed they followed privacy laws and could not share every detail about individual students.
Still, many students remain unsatisfied. At a public hearing organized by the Student Assembly on Thursday, speakers shared painful experiences and criticized the lack of transparency. Sophia Riley Sim, a junior, said Cornell has failed the community through weak accountability and poor communication from leadership. She skipped classes this week as the controversy grew.
The Student Assembly unanimously passed a resolution asking administrators for a complete account of the investigation, details on any punishments given to the accused, and annual public reports on future sexual misconduct cases. Organizers asked that many speakers remain unidentified.
University data shows the problem runs deeper. A 2025 survey found that 35 percent of undergraduate women reported experiencing nonconsensual sexual contact involving force or incapacitation since arriving at Cornell, up from 20 percent in 2021. Students at the hearing said they no longer feel safe on the large campus in New York’s Finger Lakes region.
New York state officials have appointed a special prosecutor, and a criminal investigation is being reopened. Students plan a rally on Monday to demand stronger protections. One public policy major, Jane Wang, described how reporting her own assault brought extra distress through heavy paperwork and little follow-up.
Saanya Agarwal, the student women’s issues representative, called the survey results unacceptable and vowed that students will keep fighting for change. Cornell insists its response was thorough, yet the gap between official statements and student anger continues to widen.
