Cornell University suspends fraternity parties after alleged gang rape

Fraternity parties and social events at Cornell University in New York state will be banned until the end of the academic year in August following public outcry over the school's handling of a gang rape allegation at one of its elite all-male clubs.

Cornell president Michael Kotlikoff announced the suspension on Tuesday along with measures that included a new "zero tolerance" policy for violations that would result in the immediate emergency suspension of a fraternity chapter.

New York state police will also be given a role in investigating reports of sexual assault on campus.

"These measures will provide time for a thorough review of fraternity life at Cornell to determine whether and how it can safely continue," Mr Kotlikoff wrote in a statement.

The action comes after mass protests at Cornell over the alleged gang rape of a woman at the Chi Phi Fraternity house in 2024.

The woman, only identified as Jane Doe, alleged she had been pressured into drinking and taking drugs before multiple fraternity members sexually assaulted her.

In September, she filed a civil lawsuit against Cornell, seven former students, the fraternity and others, prompting a renewed criminal investigation.

Following initial allegations in 2024, Cornell shut down the fraternity and temporarily suspended the accused male students, two of whom were later expelled.

The seven men accused in the woman's lawsuit have all denied her allegations, either saying that the sexual activity was consensual or that they were not involved.

Critics have accused the university of being too lenient in its response, with thousands of students and faculty members rallying at the Ithaca campus in upstate New York this month to demand justice for the accuser.

Protesters told the ABC they wanted frat houses banned for enabling rape culture and misogynistic behaviour towards women.

The case attracted global attention, with social media users sharing the hashtag #IAmJaneDoe on TikTok, X and Instagram.

'Zero tolerance'

Cornell has named former top US prosecutor Sally Yates to lead an independent review into how the university handles sexual assault allegations.

On Tuesday in the US, Mr Kotlikoff said it was "clear that we cannot wait for these findings to take action".

Other measures announced by the university president included the appointment of a dedicated staff member to support individuals reporting sexual misconduct and the restoration of a presidential taskforce to review further opportunities on reducing sexual assault.

"I am deeply sorry for the harm Jane Doe suffered in 2024, and appalled that this act of sexual violence occurred within our Cornell community," he said.

"It is clear that women on our campus continue to question whether they are safe. We must meet this moment by acknowledging where we have fallen short and taking meaningful action."

Prosecutors have also reopened an investigation into the alleged gang rape, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointing state Attorney-General Letitia James to lead the case.

That came after local authorities said they declined to prosecute in 2024 because the complainant's testimony did not establish a lack of consent.

Ms Hochul said in October she was "deeply disturbed" at how police handled the initial allegation, saying the victim had been "failed" at "every turn" by the institutions supposed to protect her.

Mr Kotlikoff called the various actions announced on Tuesday as the "first steps toward systemic change on our campus".

The Cornell president said the university must also confront sexual violence beyond fraternities, which had been enabled by a campus culture of excessive drinking and drug use.

The university also plans to add victim advocates and expand sexual violence prevention programs, including education aimed at encouraging bystanders to intervene.

"We will take all necessary steps to address the conditions that led to Jane Doe's experiences, and those of other survivors," he said.

ABC/AFP/AP