New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that state police will take over the investigation of all future sexual offence complaints at Cornell University. The decision follows intense public fallout over the institution’s handling of a 2024 gang rape accusation involving a student.
State Police Agreement and Faculty Backlash
Governor Hochul stated that New York State Police signed an agreement with Cornell University to immediately refer all sexual offence complaints to state investigators, shifting jurisdiction away from university police. On Thursday, Hochul emphasized that victims of sexual assault deserve the assurance that their allegations will be thoroughly investigated by law enforcement professionals trained to support survivors, noting that students must be able to trust institutions tasked with safeguarding them.
The backlash against the Ivy League university intensified after the student, who filed a lawsuit anonymously as Jane Doe, launched legal action in mid-September. In response to the crisis, Cornell’s Faculty Senate held a closed-door meeting on Wednesday and resolved to move forward with a no-confidence vote targeting the university administration and President Michael Kotlikoff. The voting period opens for faculty on Friday and runs until November 6. Although the vote is largely symbolic, it is expected to increase pressure on the university’s leadership.
Legal Actions and Reopened Investigation
The civil lawsuit filed by the student alleges she was drugged and raped by seven men at a campus fraternity house in 2024. The plaintiff asserted that Cornell failed to protect her or appropriately discipline the individuals involved, who are referred to as the Cornell Seven. While the university initially defended its internal disciplinary actions, it later admitted it fell short in managing the case.
Earlier in the month, Governor Hochul expressed deep concern over the handling of the investigation and appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to oversee a reopened inquiry to determine whether criminal charges are warranted. Meanwhile, Cornell announced several response measures earlier this month, including the addition of sexual assault investigators to its campus police force.
