A 2024 sexual assault case at Cornell University has resurfaced after a former student filed a civil lawsuit alleging that she was sexually assaulted and drugged by members of the university’s chapter of the Chi Phi fraternity.
Jane Doe’s lawsuit against Cornell
The student, identified as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit on Sept. 16 against Cornell University, the Chi Phi chapter, the Alpha Beta chapter of Delta Delta Delta sorority, of which she was a member, seven current and former Cornell students, and several other defendants.
The lawsuit states that Doe had consumed 10 drinks over three hours before arriving at Chi Phi fraternity house on Oct. 19, 2024. The lawsuit alleges that additional alcohol, marijuana and ketamine were introduced throughout the night, and that Doe became increasingly incapacitated before being coerced into sexual acts with the fraternity brothers present.
At 1:42 a.m. on Oct. 20, a fraternity member allegedly messaged a Snapchat group of 57 Chi Phi members, writing that there was “free” sex upstairs. The lawsuit includes a screenshot showing several active members responding to the message.
Doe made a formal statement to Cornell campus police on Nov. 14. The Tompkins County District Attorney's Office reviewed the case, but initially declined to file charges.
Cornell Interim President Michael Kotlikoff subsequently issued a statement on Nov. 26, 2024 informing the campus community of Doe’s concerns and announcing that the Chi Phi chapter was under a temporary suspension.
Trey Robb, interim executive director of Chi Phi, said the accused members were barred from the Cornell chapter within three days of Doe’s police report.
Doe’s account differs from the DA’s characterization of her statement. In Doe's account, she said she initially consented to certain sexual acts while heavily intoxicated but later rejected other sexual advances and was coerced into additional acts. She also said she was encouraged to consume more substances and could not recall the following hours.
Cornell’s Title IX office conducted at least 12 hearings regarding Jane Doe’s allegations from May 2 to May 29, 2025 and 50 interviews with 32 witnesses, including the suspects.
District Attorney Matthew Van Houten told CBS News that he had never read the transcript of Jane Doe’s account before his office decided not to press charges.
Van Houten’s decision not to press criminal charges was based on questions surrounding consent. He told ABC News that Doe did not say she was “drugged without her knowledge” or “physically helpless or unconscious.”
Additionally, the DA’s press release responding to the newly filed lawsuit states that Doe had consented to drug use and sexual contact.
“Jane Doe’s sworn statement in November of 2024 did not allege that she was drugged against her will or gang raped. On the contrary, Jane Doe’s statement described her participation in drug use and sexual contact as voluntary, conscious and consensual,” Van Houten said.
The differing accounts of the incident have also raised questions as to how consent is evaluated when a person is intoxicated, with the DA’s statement outlining that the victim must “clearly express” that she did not consent to the act.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and the defendants have not been convicted of criminal offenses or found liable in civil court.
The Cornell Daily Sun criticized Cornell’s handling of the case, particularly reports that students could submit essays to mitigate disciplinary actions, in an editorial titled, “Cornell Won’t, We Will.” This coverage led to the case gaining national attention and the investigation being reopened. If the grand jury finds sufficient evidence, the accused can face criminal charges.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called for an outside investigation into Cornell on Sept. 29 over its response to Doe’s allegations. Hochul then issued an executive order appointing Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor for the case on Oct. 1.
Students at SHU weigh in
The case has prompted discussion among students nationwide, including at Seton Hall, about consent, fraternity accountability and Title IX.
SHU’s fraternity chapters—Alpha Chi Rho, Phi Delta Theta, Alpha Sigma Phi, Pi Kappa Phi and Zeta Psi—have released statements on social media condemning the alleged actions of the men involved in the incident and emphasizing the importance of safety in Greek Life.
Alpha Sigma Phi wrote that they are united with victims and survivors at this time, as the investigation raises awareness about the handling of sexual misconduct.
“As a brotherhood, we take pride in providing safe spaces for everyone, not just our own. As a collective unit, the Zeta Alpha chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi wishes everyone to feel safe in the community,” the chapter said in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
Phi Delta Theta recognized the impact of these events on the SHU community by highlighting the importance of accountability and responsibility.
“Phi Delta Theta was founded based on three cardinal principles: friendship, sound learning and moral rectitude. These principles challenge us to act with integrity, hold ourselves to a higher standard and take responsibility for the ways our actions affect the lives of others,” the chapter said in an Instagram post on Thursday.
Concerns over how the Title IX rule impacted this investigation were shared by students at Seton Hall, with many believing Cornell administration did not take sufficient action.
Christian Quinones, a sophomore history and sociology major, said he believes fraternities should be held accountable with the same standards as other organizations, and should face consequences for their misconduct.
“[Fraternities] should be treated like any other organization,” Quinones said, “and I do hope this frat in particular is put on suspension or permanently closed.”
In a statement to the Cornell University community, the university said that temporary suspensions and other “restrictive measures” were issued when the conduct was reported. The Xi Chapter of Chi Phi was closed in 2024 and is barred from campus.
Mya Brooks, a sophomore anthropology and criminal justice major, said the culture around fraternities often influences and encourages this behavior and discourages accountability.
“I think it’s an issue that college fraternity houses are not as closely monitored as any other on campus entities would be,” Brooks said. “They’re built on foundations of hazing and secretive practices, and there should be more regulation to ensure the safety of students involved in these activities.”
Jordyn Conaway, a sophomore diplomacy major, said Cornell’s actions during this case reflects its “unreasonable” understanding of responsibility and accountability.
“A school is deliberately indifferent if its response to sexual harassment is clearly unreasonable in light of the known circumstances,” Conaway said. “In this case, we clearly see a reasonable situation where action should have been taken.”
Conaway added that the Title IX rule should be changed to ensure that the actions taken by the school are appropriate for the crime committed. This is in response to Doe’s allegation that the university's punishment for the accused men was to write essays regarding their conduct.
The Department of Education changed its Title IX rules on Sept. 28, which reinstated the Trump administration's 2020 rule that alters the way universities handle sexual misconduct allegations. According to 2020 Washington Post coverage, the rule “creates a judicial-like process in which the accused has the right to a live hearing and to cross-examine accusers.”
Isabella Salazar, an economics major, said that Cornell’s handling of this case reflects an ongoing cultural issue, in which men’s futures are protected more so than women’s safety.
“The regulations that are currently under Trump’s Administration are, in my perspective, a huge step backwards because it further allows universities to do less when facing serious allegations such as sexual assault,” Salazar said.
While some students believe the lack of criminal charges in this case is influenced by ongoing cultural issues, Annabelle Johnstone, a junior psychology major, said she believes it is due to a lack of proper evidence, as well as the need for a trial.
“I think the reason they have not faced criminal charges is because of a lack of evidence and a proper trial,” Johnstone said.“ I think it’s really important to gather a proper account and go to trial as soon as possible so that those men are prosecuted.”
Regarding the next possible steps, Bridget Lawrence, an adjunct criminology professor at SHU, said that the criminal case must conclude before a trial can be conducted.
“Typically, a civil trial is held in abeyance until after a criminal case is concluded,” Lawrence said.“If criminal charges are in fact brought, this may delay the civil trial.”
The reopening of the criminal investigation could affect the timeline of the civil lawsuit. The case is now moving through both criminal and civil proceedings, although the outcome of either has not yet been determined. Title IX mandates colleges and universities to investigate reports of sexual abuse and harassment and settle complaints in a timely manner.
The renewed investigation and civil lawsuit has drawn attention to questions about consent, the value of evidence and how universities respond to allegations of sexual assault. For SHU students, the case has also prompted discussion about how universities hold fraternities responsible and whether existing policies provide sufficient accountability and protection for students.
Abiha Rupani is the assistant photography editor of The Setonian. She can be reached at abiha.rupani@student.shu.edu.
